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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
GIFT OF
FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD
#.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2007 with funding from
Microsoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/dictionaryofseatOOanstiala
/
A
DICTIONARY
of SEA TERMS
FOR THE USE OF
YACHTSMEN, AMATEUR BOATMEN, AND BEGINNERS.
BY
A. ANSTED.
FULLY ILLUSTRATED, AND IN ALMOST EVERY CASE
FROM THE OBJECT DESCRIBED.
London :
L. UPCOTT GILL, 170, STRAND, W. C.
1898.
LONDON TYPING COMPANY:
WORKS: WHEATSHEAF YARD, FARRINGDON STREET, E.C.
\ o
STACK AWNEX
\/23
PREFACE.
I am anxious to make it clear that this little Dictionary is
intended as a help to beginners. I do not profess to teach
those who may be already experienced in yachting and the art
of boat-sailing, and still less those acquainted with the sea. For
these there are various nautical dictionaries ; but so far as I am
aware, there is no such work exclusively devoted to those who
start in entire ignorance of their subject ; and to supply this
apparent want the present work is an attempt.
Such a work presents some difficulties, and is, therefore,
naturally open to criticism. Nautical terms are essentially
technical ; many are used in various senses, while sometimes
several may have but one meaning. And besides these we have
a list of expressions which, while they cannot be regarded as sea
terms, have direct reference to boat-building and boat-sailing.
It is to be feared, too, that some of those phrases now commonly
met with in the sporting journals may have been overlooked.
Numerous as are the terms in daily use among seafaring men,
their number has been considerably enlarged of late years, not
only in consequence of recent improvements in yacht-building,
which require new names for parts and fittings hitherto un-
known, but chiefly in consequence of that tendency in a certain
class of sporting scriveners so to expand the technicality and
the volubility of their nautical language that it has been found
impossible to keep pace with them.
True maritime terms may generally be traced back to very
simple derivations. To understand the derivation of a word is to
G85002
IV PEEFACE.
understand it in its fullest meaning. For this reason, wherever
the origin of an expression is known, I have taken the oppor-
tunity of inserting it.
The principal works of reference used in this compilation are :
Falconer's " Dictionary of the Marine"; Smyth's " Sailor's Word-
Book"; "Dictionary of Science, Literature and Art" (Brande
and Cox) ; " The Boating-man's Vade-Mecum " (Winn) ; "Boat-
sailing for Amateurs" (Davies). To these and other authorities
I must acknowledge my indebtedness. And, in conclusion, I must
fulfil a promise in dedicating my work to my two children, who,
at the ages of seven and eight, are already handy in a boat and
familiar with a great number of the terms I have endeavoured to
explain.
Southend,
September, 1897.
-A.
DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
A.
A. — The highest class under which vessels are registered at
Lloyd's. It is sub-divided into A 1 and A 2.
a'. — An Anglo-Saxonism for "on" or "in." It is in constant
use at sea, as in a'back, a'board, a* stern, etc.
A.B. — The initial letters of the words able-bodied. A full or
first-class seaman, commonly called an able seaman, is classed A.B.
A'back. — Spoken of the sails when laid flat against a mast,
either by a sudden change of wind, or, in some instances, they may
be laid aback for some special purpose. (See Back.)
A'baft.— Behind or towards the stern of a vessel. Thus, " abaft
the funnel," so frequently seen on board pleasure steam boats, will
mean " behind the funnel."
A'beani. — On the side of a vessel, amidships. Thus " wind
a'beam, " or " wind on the beam," will mean wind at right angles to
the vessel. (See Wind.)
A'board, or on board.— On, or in, a vessel.
About. — A turning round.
To go about. — To turn a vessel round, in sailing, on to another
tack or direction. (See Tack.)
Above board. — Above deck. Hence the expression in every-
day use, meaning " honest," " fair," or " in the light of day."
A'box. — An old term used in vjearing a ship. It means to lay
the ship a'back, and thus to box her ojf.
Accnl (old term). — Spoken of a deep bight or bay which ends as
a eul de sac.
Acker. — An eddy or rising tide. (See Eagre and Bore.)
Ackmen. — An old name for freshwater thieves.
A'cock-bill. — Spoken of a ship's anchor, when hanging out with
the flukes extended in a position ready for dropping. In most har-
bours vessels are prohibited from carrying the anchor thus.
B
2 A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
Acorn. — An ornament at the head of a mast fashioned in the
shape of an acorn.
A' drift. — Anything which floats unfastened, as a hoat or a spar,
which may have broken away, or a ship which has parted from her
anchor.
A'float. — Floating on the water. Off the ground.
Aft. — Behind : towards the after or stern part of a vessel, or it may
be behind the vessel itself : thus a boat may be said to be towed aft.
After-part. — The hinder part. Thus a steersman may, accord-
ing to the position of the wheel, stand amidships, or in the after
part of the vessel. So also the after cabin will be the cabin nearest
the stern. (See also A'baft.)
A'grotmd. — Resting on the ground, often spoken of a vessel
which has accidentally run aground, or as it is sometimes said,
taken the ground. (See GROUND.)
A'head. — In front of. Before.
Wind ahead. — Wind directly against the course of a vessel.
A'hull.—" The situation of a ship when all her sails are furled,
and her helm lashed on the lee-side ; she then lies nearly with her
side to the wind and sea, her head somewhat turned towards the
direction of the wind." (Falconer's Dictionary.) A deserted
vessel is also occasionally called a'hull. (See also under Trying.)
A'lee. — The situation of the helm when pushed close down to
the lee-side of the ship, in order to put the ship about, or to lay her
head to the windward.
All hands. All hands ahoy (" tout le motide en haut -."
Fr.) (at sea). — The call by which all hands are ordered on deck
whether it be, as in a ship, to execute some necessary change, or, as
with fishermen, to haul a net.
All in the wind. — An expression used to describe the position
of a vessel when head to wind (i.e., pointing directly against
the wind), with all her sails flapping. (See also " in irons, " under
Iron, "in stays," etc., under Tack.) The term is also sometimes
used in everyday conversation, meaning " all in a flurry."
All told. — Every person counted. The term has usual reference
to a ship's crew, when it will include the idlers, etc., but not
passengers. Thus a ship may have a crew of 20, but be 23 all
told — that is including cook, carpenter, and steward.
Aloft (Loffter, Dan.). — Up in the tops: overhead. In the
upper rigging, or on the yards, etc.
Lay aloft. — The order to go aloft, as "lay aloft and furl the
royals. "
Alongside.— By the side of.
Aloof (old term). — To keep aloof, i.e., to keep the luff— i.e., up
to the wind. (See Luff.)
A'low. — Low down. Below, or below deck.
Amain. — Suddenly : forcibly. To let go amain, to let go suddenly.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Amateur.-In sporting language one who takes up an occupa-
tionTonSsure-not for money In rowing the meaning is some-
what restricted. [See also under Corinthian.) At Henley 1870
the following definition of an amateur was adopted. No person
shall he considered an amateur oarsman or sculler :- 1- W*> has
ever competed in any open competition for a stake, money, or
entranc^ee- 2. Who has ever competed with or against a pro-
festal for any prize; 3. Who has ever taught, pursued, or
aSsted in the prLtice of athletic exercises of any kind as a
means of gaining a livelihood ; 4. Who has been employee
iu or about boats for money or wages; 5. Who is or Has
been by trade or employment for wages, a mechanic, artisan, or
labourer " - e
Amidships.-Generally speaking, the middle portion of a
ve^el The point of intersection of two lines, one drawn from stem
to Ttern, the P other across the beam (or widest part), will be the
actual midships.
Anchor.— The form and parts of an
anchor are as follow :— A is the shank B
the arms, terminating in the flukes (C),
the extremities of which (D) are called
the bills or peaks, while the smooth flat
side of the fluke (E) is the palm, t
is the crown, and G the throat, I he
stock or beam (H) crosses the lower part
of the shank at right angles, and in a
plane at right angles to the plane of the
arms: J is the shoulder of the stock. K
is the rinc, to which the cable is bent or
the chaiu°shackled (L). (For the manner
of bending— i.e., attaching a rope to this
ring, see Knots.) The ring hangs in the
eye The stock of an anchor is the agent
which brings the flukes into a position
to hold the ground. In doing this it
has often to sustain great strains, and is,
most liable to injury. For this reason a stout stock is to be
recommended. It has been said that the sectional area at the
smallest part of an anchor should be three times that of the cable
To drop, let go, or cast anchor, are terms equivalent to comity to
aH To C wdffh anchor is to get the anchor up preparatory to getting
under sail This is done by first heaving short— i.e., hauling upon
the cable 'until the vessel is nearly over her anchor, which
brings the anchor «W- that is standing on its crown. When
the anchor is once lifted from the ground it is said to be a weigh,
weighed or a'trip : when it reaches the surface of the water it is
«WA. The ship being now free is said to be under weigh (not
under way, for xcay means momentum), and the vessel may be under
Anchok.
therefore, the part
4 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
weigh without having way; she is, in point of fact, under iveigk
from the moment her anchor is weighed. (See also under Way
and Weigh. )
Catting the anchor is getting it up to the cathead. When it has
been stowed on the bill-board it is said to be fished, and the tackle
by which this is done is called the fish-tackle.
Anchor a' peak denotes that the cable has been drawn in so short
as to bring the ship directly over it.
Anchor cock-a-bill is a term used to signify that the anchor hangs,
merely by its cable, over the vessel's side, with the stock or flukes
extended, just above the water. This, in the London river and in
many other havens, is prohibited by law.
If the anchor holds the ground well it is said to bite. Should it
drag it is said to come home. But at the same time to fetch home or
bring home the anchor is to draw the ship closer up to it, for the
purpose, perhaps, of weighing it.
When the cable becomes twisted round the shank or stock, or
entangled wdth it in any way, it is called folding.
To shoe the anchor " is to cover the flukes with a broad triangular
piece of thick plank, whose area is greater than that of the flukes,
in order to give the anchor a stronger hold in soft ground. "
To back an ancho?; " to carry out a small anchor, as the stream
or kedge, ahead of the large one by which the ship usually rides, in
order to support it, and prevent it from loosening, or coming home, in
bad ground. In this situation the latter is confined by the former,
in the same manner that the ship is restrained by the latter."
(Falconer's Dictionary. ) A weight is sometimes used as a substitute
for the smaller anchor.
Large vessels carry several anchors, often one on each bow, called,
in consequence, bower anchors. Other large ones are known as sheet,
stream, stern, toaist and spare anchors, and besides these they have
small ones called kedges (or kedge anchors), killicks or mudhooks.
The sheet-anchor, the largest and most powerful carried by a ship,
is popularly supposed to be used only in emer-
gency or as a last resource ; and hence the use
of the term in this sense in general conversa-
tion. Kedges are smaller anchors carried by a
ship and used by her for various purposes, such
as when swinging her, or when moving from
one station to another only a short distance
away : they are also valuable in case of the
vessel taking the ground.
A grapnel is a species of anchor having several
flukes, and without a stock. It is used in
dragging, and was one of the boarding imple-
ments in old naval warfare. Grapnel.
Anchors nowadays are of various forms,
such as stockless, folding, grip, triple grip, mushroom, and others.
Tyzack's patent is both stockless and triple-grip, and claims to
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Stockless
and tkiple-okip.
combine the best principles of good holding anchors with a direct
pull upon the cable: it may often be seen in first -class ships.
Ridley's and Wright's patents are also
stockless, with movable grip. Porter's
patent (an older type of improved anchor)
retains the stock, being in form of the
ordinary pattern, but having movable
arms, secured, when in use, by a small fore-
lock pin. In fact nearly all anchors now-
adays are either without a stock or have it
movable.
The mushroom anchor — so named on
account of its shape (see fig.) — is employed
by large ships on mud or other soft bottoms,
where it obtains a hold far more secure
than any other form.
The objects in all these anchors (beyond
the system of gripping) are to lessen the risks of fouling, and to
present no fluke above ground against which, in shallow places, a
vessel might strike. The usual method
of working the anchor cable in small
craft is to take two or three turns with
it round the windlass (i.e., just sufficient
to get a certain bite), and then to pass
the rest of the chain through an aper-
ture in the deck, made for the purpose,
and thus down to the chain locker.
Anchorage. — The ground in which the anchor is cast. Thus
one may find good anchorage or bad, the good being that in which
the vessel will ride safely, the bad that in which the anchor will be
likely to drag. Yet it is not always the nature of the soil which
constitutes good anchorage ; currents or the run of the tide always
have much to do with it. Land-locked bays, therefore, and positions
well out of the tide, will form the best anchorage. The term an-
chorage is also occasionally used to denote those dues which are paid
by vessels for the privilege of casting anchor in certain harbours.
Anemometer. — An instrument for measuring the force or velo-
city of the wind. The anemometer most generally used is one devised
by Dr. Robinson, and made by Casella, who also elaborated and modi-
fied Robinson's instrument and produced one of great accuracy.
Aneroid. — An instrument answering to the barometer, but
acting by the pressure of the atmosphere upon thin metallic plates.
Its general form resembles that of a watch. The aneroid is fre-
quently used at sea to obtain meteorological readings, although
amongst scientific men it is hardly considered a reliable agent.
" This instrument has never been satisfactorily employed on board
ship. There is great difficulty in placing it where it shall not be
exposed to draughts of air, and if it be placed high above the deck
Mushroom Anchor.
b A .DICTIONAEY OF SEA TERMS.
its indications are affected by rolling and the other motions of the
ship." (R. H. Scott, M.A., F.R.S., Secretary of the Meteorological
Office.) Yachtsmen, however, are seldom without an aneroid.
A'peak. — Spoken of the position of an anchor when a vessel is
hove-short above it. (See Anchor. )
Apparently drowned. — For directions for restoring, see
Drowned.
Apron, stemson, or stomach-niece.— l. (In shipbuild-
ing.) A backing or strengthening timber behind the stern-post
of a vessel. (See diagram under Frame.) 2. (In hydraulic
engineering.) The enclosure of timber, brick, or stone at the
down side of a lock is sometimes called the apron wall.
Arching. — Another name for hogging (tohich see).
Ardent. — A vessel is described as ardent when , her tendency being
to run up into the wind, she carries a good weather helm (which see).
Ashore. — On terra firma. A vessel aground is sometimes
spoken of as "ashore." (See Ground.)
Astay. — In line with a stay, or with the fore stay.
Astern. — Behind. In the after part of a vessel ; behind the
vessel ; in her wake.
Go astern. — Go sternwards : or, with a steam boat, an order to
work her backwards.
Athwart, athwartships. — Across. Hence the rowers' seats
in an open boat are called " thwarts " because they lie athwart, or
across the boat.
To drop athwart anything. — To come across it ; to find it.
Athwart hawse. — Within the length of a vessel's cable. (The
term is explained under HAWSE.)
A 'trip. — 1. Spoken of an anchor when it is just off the ground
or a'lveign. (.See ANCHOR.) 2. (Of sails.) When the sails are ready
for trimming.
Austral. — Southern.
Avast. — The order to stop or pause in any exercise ; as " avast
heaving. "
Awash. — Being under or washed over by water, as the lee gunwale
of a yacht or decked sailing boat may be when she lies much over.
Anchor awash. — When, in weighing the anchor, it reaches the
surface of the water, it is said to be awash.
Away. — Gone : having let anything go : free.
Carried away. — Broken away ; as to cany away a topmast — i.e.,
to suffer the loss of the topmast.
A" weather. — Towards the weather side — i.e., the side upon which
the wind blows.
Helm a? weather. — The helm put up. (See Helm.)
A'weigh. — Spoken of an anchor when it has been lifted from
the ground.
A'wheft. — Said of a flag when stopped so as to represent a wheft.
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS. 7
Awning. — A canvas covering acting as a roof or tent.
Aye {adv., perhaps from ajo, Lat. (defective verb), to say yes). —
Yes, and is always used in lieu thereof at sea, with a repetition,
"Aye, aye, sir," meaning "I understand; and will execute the
order. "
B.
Back. — With sailing ships. — To back is to haul the sails over to
windward. In square rigged vessels this is only done on special oc-
casions, when it is called laying the sails aback. In small craft the
practice is more frequent, and especially with boats which are slow
in stays, (i.e., in coming round, in tacking), as those of much length
often are. By holding a foresail or a jib over to the weather side
(the side upon which the wind is blowing) the boat's head will be
thrown off, or away from the wind, and she will often come round ;
this is called boxing off her head. But by holding the boom of the
main or mizzen sail to windward, her stern will be thrown off ; and
this, properly speaking, is back-sailing, which is, as it were, the op-
posite to boxing off ; although, in many instances, it answers the
same purpose. (See Boxing off.)
With steam vessels. — " Back her " is an order to reverse engines,
so that the ship may be suddenly stopped or made to go astern.
In rowing, to back, or backwater, is to stop the progress of a boat
suddenly, or to drive her backwards, by pushing the oars in the
direction contrary to that employed in ordinaiy rowing.
Back and fill. — A term used of a vessel when, in a narrow
channel, with the wind against her, but with a favourable tide,
she allows herself to be carried on the tide, keeping in the stream
by alternately filling her sails and laying them aback.
To back an anchor. — To add a smaller anchor, or a weight, to
a large one to prevent its coming home, i. e. , dragging. (See ANCHOR. )
Back-board or backrail. — In skiffs, the framing or rail round
the after thwart, making this a comfortable seat for coxswain and
passengers. It is sometimes of iron, and sometimes of mahogany
and cane work.
Back-rope (in ships). — The rope which stays the dolphin striker. It
is, properly speaking, the pendant of the tackle which sets up the
dolphin striker, and it is usually of chain.
Back-stays. — Ropes stretched from a mast or topmast head
to the sides of a vessel — some way aft of the mast — to give
extra support to the masts against going forward. In smaller
craft they are usually passed over the head of the mast, above
the shrouds, and terminate with tackles. There are back-stays
and topmast back-stays, named according to the mast they support,
the term " back-stays " without further specification usually mean-
ing those of the lower mast. The topmast back-stays are so
arranged that they may be slackened off as the boom swings
over ; for their position is such that unless slackened the boom and
sail would foul them. It is evident, therefore, that if the boat
8 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
be tacking - about, these topmast back-stays must be continually
shifted, for which reason they are often called shifting back-
stays ; or that if she be running before the wind they must be run
right out, so as to let the boom lay over; and consequently these
shifting stays may just as well be, and often are, called runners,
and sometimes travellers. In small boats, however, and those to
be worked single-handed, this continual shifting of stays is found
to be very awkward, while the mast is so short as hardly to require
their support, except in the case of racing ; and on this account they
are generally dispensed with. In ships, the back-stays being more
numerous, the forward ones are called breast backstays, and sustain the
mast when the wind is before the beam, while the after ones maybe
shifted from side to side, as required, and constitute the travellers.
Backing of the wind. — The veering of the wind in the
direction opposite to that of the sun's circuit. Winds may
continue veering in the direction of the sun for several days
together, circling the compass several times ; but the opposite
to this, called backing, seldom, if ever, completes the circle.
Backing generally prognosticates unsettled weather.
Backwater. (In rowing, see Back.) — A backwater is a small
stream or ditch behind a river wall ; it takes the drainage of the
country round, which has been cut off from the natural drainage of
the river by the construction of the wall. The backwater therefore
communicates with the river, either by pipes or at certain intervals
by sluices.
Baffle. — To baffle with the wind is to contend against it, as
when beating to windward in veiy foul weather. {See Tack. )
. Baffling winds are those which frequently shift.
Bag-reef (in square sails). — An extra reef band (band of canvas) on
a sail, the most general use of which is to prevent the sail from bagging.
Balance-lug.— {See Lug.)
Balance-reef (of a gaff-sail). — A reef band (that is a band of
canvas) sewed diagonally across the sail from the highest reef
cringle of the after leech to the throat earing. It alloAvs the sail to
be so reefed that either the peak or the lower half only may be set.
But it is rarely seen.
Bale, baler. — To bale or bale out is to remove water from an
open boat by means of a baler, which may be any small vessel
capable of holding water, such as a hand bowl or an old tin pot.
The baler is occasionally dignified by the name of the kit.
Ball, or ball off. — To twist rope yarns into balls.
Ballast. — " Weight deposited in a ship's hold when she has no
cargo, or too little to bring her sufficiently low in the water. It is
used to counterbalance the effect of the wind upon the masts, and
give the ship a proper stability, that she may be enabled to carry
sail without danger of upsetting. To ballast a ship, therefore, is
the art of disposing those materials so that she may be duly poised
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEKMS.
and maintain a proper equilibrium on the water, so as neither to be
too stiff nor too crank, qualities equally pernicious : as in the first,
although the ship may be fitted to carry a great sail, yet her velocity
Mill not be proportionately increased, whilst her masts are more
endangered by her sudden jerks and excessive labouring : and, in
the last, she will be incapable of carrying sail without the risk of
upsetting. Stiffness in ballasting is occasioned by disposing a great
quantity of heavy ballast, as lead, iron, etc., in the bottom, which
naturally places the centre of gravity very near the keel ; and that
being the centre about which the vibrations are made, the lower it is
placed the more violent will be the motion of rolling. Crankness,
on the other hand, is occasioned by lading so as to raise the
centre of gravity too high, which also endangers the mast in carry-
ing sail when it blows hard : for when the masts lose their perpen-
dicular height, they strain on the shrouds in the nature of a lever,
which increases the size of their obliquity ; and a ship that loses
her masts is in great danger of being lost. The whole art of
ballasting, therefore, consists in placing the centre of gravity to
correspond with the trim and shape of the vessel, so as neither
to be too high nor too low, too far forward nor too far aft ;
and to lade the ship so deep, that the surface of the water may
nearly rise to the extreme breadth amidships ; and thus she will
be enabled to cany a good sail, incline but little, and ply well
to the windward." (Falconer's "Dictionary of the Marine.")
Ballast. — "Weighty material placed in the bottom of a ship or
vessel, to give her stiffness ; that is, to increase her tendency to
return to the upright position when inclined or heeled over by the
force of the wind or other
cause. " (Brande and Cox. )
Small craft may be bal-
lasted with either iron
(usually cast), lead, zinc,
or bags of shot. Beach-
ing boats often carry bags
which are filled with shin-
gle or sand as may be re-
quired : the sand is found,
by absorbing a great quan-
tity of water, to swell some-
times to so great an ex-
tent as to burst the bags,
which should not therefore
be too full of this ma-
terial. Certain boats,
more particularly those
belonging to the Navy,
are fitted with tanks filled
with fresh water ; and as
this fresh water is with-
A> Balloon Canvas
(See next page).
Reaching.
Balloon jib.
Balloon foresail.
Mainsail.
Jack topsail.
B. Rl'.N.MNG.
5. Mainsail.
6.
7.
Ringsail.
Big topsail.
Spinnaker.
10
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
drawn for use, salt water can take its place in the tank.
The cheapest form of hallast for boats (next to shingle) is cast
iron, which should he painted ; the most expensive, and best, is
shot in bags, which lies flat, and absorbs no moisture. A free
waterway should be left under all ballast.
Balloon canvas, or press canvas. — The extra spread of canvas
(i.e., sail) used by yachts in racing. Thus a large cutter may carry,
besides her ordinary sails, balloon jib, balloon foresail, spinnaker,
ringsail (or studsail), big topsail, according to the weather and the
courses she makes. (See diagram on preceding page.)
Bank (of oars). — Single and double. — (From the French word
banc, a bench. ) The origin of this word will indicate the meaning
of the terms single banked and double banked. A single banked
boat is one in which only one rower sits on each thwart (seat) ; a
double banked boat one in which two men occupy each seat with an
oar out each side, as is often the case in the Royal Navy.
Bank. — An elevation of the bottom of the sea.
Banker. — A vessel employed in the cod fishery, on the Banks of
Newfoundland.
Bar (of a harbour).
— A shoal or bank of
sand, gravel, etc. ;
thrown up by the
opposite action of the
sea and river at the
mouth of a river.
Barepoles. — The
masts, yards, etc., of
a vessel without the
sails.
Sailing or scudding
under bare poles.—
Sailing or running
before a gale without
any sails set. (See
Scud.)
Barge.— "A gen-
eral name given to
flat-bottomed craft."
In ancient times the
name was also given
to large boats of state
or pleasure, and in
later days to one of
the boats of a man-of-
war. The barges of to- -- - ~* r ~~-^ '3£q _J/
day are of various de-
scriptions, being either Topsail Barges.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
11
<,-«. «??
Canal Baugk.
sea-going, river, or canal. But lighters, hoys, and other carrying
craft on rivers are also indiscriminately comprehended under
the name of harge. The sailing harge is particularly to be
distinguished from other
craft by being sprit
rigged — i.e., by having
a sprit-sail as a main-
sail (see Sprit), and
by a very small mizzen
sail, sometimes called
the jigger, the mast
and sheet of which are
often fixed to the rud-
der, and the use of
which sail is to aid the
action of the rudder
(with which it works)
in getting the long
hull about when tack-
ing. The hull is very
long, wall - sided, flat-
bottomed, and lies very
deep in the water ; and,
almost the whole of the interior being devoted to cargo, the mast is
sometimes fixed on deck in a framework called the tabernacle. The
class is sub-divided into two rigs, viz. : — 1. The topsail barge — that
is one carrying a topsail, and this is the sea -going barge; and
2. The river or Medway barge, which carries no topsail and is there-
fore rigged with only a pole main mast. Both of these carry the
sprit-main-sail and the small mizzen either attached to or working
with the rudder, the principle of which is well worthy of study, and
which has sometimes been applied to pleasure boats. These vessels,
in common with other flat-bottomed craft, have lee-boards (tohich
see) ; they sail rapidly in a fresh breeze, very close to the wind,
and can face almost any weather, with the seas washing over
them from end to end.
Barge-pole. — A long pole used
on board a barge, for pushing any
object off her, or for holding on
by, to a quay or wharf, for which
latter purpose it is sometimes fur-
nished with a hook. (See Quant. )
Bark, barkentine. — Bark.
— Generally speaking a three-
masted vessel square - rigged on
the fore and main masts and fore-and-aft rigged on the mizzen.
The following definition is given by Denham Robinson : — " Bark
or barque (Low Lat., barca). A term applied rather vaguely to
square-rigged merchant vessels. A bark has three masts which do
Bark.
12 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
not rake ; but beyond this there appears to be no special mark
to distinguish it from any other large merchantman. A bark,
however, is never a steamer." But among coasters the bark is
distinguished from the barkentine,
a merchant vessel having three
masts, the foremast square-rigged
like the bark, but the main and
mizzen masts fore-and-aft rigged.
These are occasionally called three-
masted schooners or jackass rig ;
but here again a distinction must
be made, the barkentine having
a brig foremast (i.e., foremast,
fore-topmast, and fore-top-gallant), Barkentine.
while the three - masted schooner
has the schooner foremast (foremast and fore-top-mast only). (See
also under Schooner.)
Barnacles. — " Most probably from the late Latin pernacula,
diminutive of perna, a ham, from a supposed resemblance to a leg of
pork." (Brande and Cox.) A general term amongst sea- faring men
for any of those shelled animals of the division mollusca which fix
themselves to the bottoms of boats, the piles of piers, quays, etc.,
under water, and more especially at the water bine or between high
and low water marks. It is found that there are certain metals,
copper in particular, to which these creatures have an objection to
fix themselves, in consequence of which fact wooden vessels are
copper-bottomed. (See Copper.) There are also certain paints
which profess to answer the same purpose as copper.
Barometer. — A well-known instrument, invented by Torricelli,
for measuring the weight or pressure of the atmosphere. Whatever
tends to inci-ease or diminish this pressure will cause the barometer
to rise or fall. Hence the barometer is a foreteller of wind rather
than of wet or dry.
Basin. — A dock in which vessels float at any state of the tide.
Batten. — Battens are long strips of wood used for various pur-
poses.
To batten down. — To cover up and fix down — usually spoken of
hatches when they are covered over with canvas, and this canvas
is held down with long battens.
Battened sails. — Sails across which light battens (often of bamboo)
are laid. Their use may be said to be three-fold— rFirstly, they
assist in keeping sails flat, thereby increasing the speed of a boat ;
secondly, they simplify the process of reefing ; and thirdly, they
enable sail to be struck (dropped) with considerable rapidity. (See
fig. under Canoe.) In England, battens are applied, as a rule,
only to the sails of boats or small craft ; but in the east, where
the practice appears to have originated, they are employed in
large sailing ships, and are found to be of great service where
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
13
Thames Bawley.
squalls come down very suddenly and with great severity. Various
systems of reefing these sails have heen tried of late years, some
consisting of elaborate systems of tackles for drawing the battens
together. These, however, are tilings rather of play : their great
drawback lies in their liability to
entanglement ; and as it is always
possible that such an event might
take place at a critical moment, be-
ginners are recommended to have but
little to do with them until suffi-
ciently experienced to take the con-
sequence of mishap.
Baulks. — Heavy pieces of timber,
such as piles before erection, etc.
Brackets, in almost any position,
holding two or more timbers to-
gether, or preventing them from
slipping.
Bawley. — The name given to a
class of fishing smack common to
the Thames below Gravesend. These
craft are often clincher built with
bluff-bows ; cutter rigged, with a
trysail (mainsail without boom), and
very generally carry a jib-topsail. They are exceedingly stiff ;
good weather boats ; and are employed in the whitebait, sprat,
and shrimp fisheries, etc.
Beach. — The margin of the land exposed to tidal action.
Beaching boats. — The act of running them up on a beach : when
up they are said to be beached. It is not an easy matter to beacli
a boat in a heavy sea, the rudder becoming, as the boat approaches
the shore, of less and less use : everything depends, therefore,
upon the oars. As a rule it is dangerous to go in on a big wave :
experience will soon convince the beginner that the advice to do
so (except it comes from a " long-shore " man) may, if blindly
followed, lead to unpleasant consequences. The small waves float
the boat longest and more evenly, and are better to come in upon.
Pull hard as the boat descends, lighter in the hollow of the wave,
and easy on the top.
Beach boats are those which are kept on the beach. They are built
to take the beach, and are far more useful in their situation than
any strange ones can be. A good beach boat is one which takes the
beach well and is easily got off it. Beaching boats, when their
form admits of it, is a good practice ; it increases their length of
life. When beached for any length of time, however, they should
occasionally be half filled with water to keep their strakes swelled.
Beacon. — A landmark put up to steer by. A pole marking out
a shoal or a channel.
14 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Beak, beak-head. — The beak is the extreme fore-part of a
vessel. "The beak-head, in large vessels with figure-heads, is the
small platform between the figure-head and the bulwarks of the
forecastle. It is secluded from the view of the deck, and
contains the latrines of the crew." This will be recognised on
old ships.
Beam. — The width of a vessel, at her widest part : the term is
derived from the beams, strong timbers extending across the ship,
supporting the decks and strengthening the sides, and the widest
of these will, of course, be the width of the vessel inside. But by
the beam, meaning width, is now always understood to be
the outside measurement. In nautical language, a wide
vessel is said to have more beam than a narrow one ; and, in
bike manner, a boat with plenty of beam (width) is described
as beamy.
Beam ends.— A. ship thrown completely upon her side is said to be
on her beam ends, when her masts may have to be cut away before
she can be righted. Hence, a person who, either in posture or in
business, has very nearly over-reached the centre of gravity, may be
said to be on Ms beam ends.
A'beam. — An object seen across the middle of the ship is spoken
of as a'beam. If the wind blow directly upon the side of the ship
she is sailing with the wind a'beam: if it lies in a direction between
the beam and the quarter, she has the wind abaft the beam and is
said to be sailing free, or large or going free.
" Beak-arm, or fork-beam. — A forked piece of timber, nearly of
the depth of the beam, scarfed, tabled, and l>olted, for additional
security, to the sides of beams athwart large openings in decks, as
the main hatchway and the mast- rooms.
" Breast-beams are those beams at the forepart of the quarter-deck
and round-house, and after-part of the forecastle. They are sided
larger than the rest, as they have an ornamental rail in the front,
formed from the solid, and a rabbet one inch broader than its depth,
which must be sufficient to buiy the deals of the deck, and one inch
above for a spurn-water. To prevent splitting the beam in the
rabbet, the nails of the deck should be crossed, or so placed, alter-
nately, as to form a sort of zigzag line.
" Cat-beam, or beak-head beam. — This is the broadest beam in a
ship, generally made in two breadths, tabled and bolted together.
The foreside is placed far enough forward to receive the heads of
the stanchions of the beak-head bulk-head.
" The collar-beam is the beam upon which the stanchions
of the beak-head bulk-head stand. The upper side of it is kept
well with the upper side of the upper deck port-sills, and lets
down upon the spirketing at the side. But its casting over the
bowsprit in the middle giving it a form which in timber is not
to be obtained without difficulty, a framing of two large carlings
and a stanchion on each side of the bowsprit is now generally sub-
stituted in its place.
A DICTIONABY OP SEA TERMS. 15
" Half -beams are short beams introduced to support the deck where
there is no framing, as in those places where the beams are kept
asunder by hatchways, ladder-ways, etc. They are let down on the
clamp at the side, and near midships into fore-and-aft carlings. On
some decks they are, abaft the mizzenmast, generally of fir, let into
the side tier of carlings.
" The midship-beam is the longest beam of the ship, lodged in the
midship frame, or between the widest frame of timbers.
" Palleting -beams are those beams under the flat of the magazine,
bread-room, and powder-room, where there is a double palleting.
The upper tier are of fir, and rabbets are taken out of their edge to
form scuttles. " (James Greenwood, B. A., "Rudimentary Treatise
on Navigation," 1850.)
" Orlop-beams. — Those beams which support the orlop-deck, but
are chiefly intended to fortify the hold. "
Beam of an anchor. — The stock. (See Anchor.)
Bear. — Bear away, bear up. — If, after being close-hauled, the
helm of the vessel be put up (i.e., towards the windward side) and
the sheets be eased off, by which actions the vessel will be made to
sail more or less before the wind, she is said to be bearing away.
Orders to bear up, or to bear away, mean practically, therefore, the
same thing, viz., to put the helm up. (See under Helm.)
Bear down. — To go towards. This term has not of necessity
any reference to the direction in which the tiller is to be thrust.
It is understood, however, that the vessel which bears down upon
another, or upon some object, is situated to windward of that
object, and, therefore, has the advantage of it. If, for instance,
we are told that a large ship is bearing down upon us, we instinctively
look to the windward side.
Bear off. — Usually an order, as " bear off that cask " — meaning
keep it off.
Bear a hand. — Usually an appeal for assistance, and that
quickly.
Bearding. — The fore-part of a rudder. (See Rudder.)
Bearers.— (See Flat-floors.)
Bearings. — The word " bearing " properly belongs to the
art of navigation, in which it signifies " the direction, or angular
distance from the meridian, in which an object is seen. " Roughly
speaking, it is the direction in which an object is seen from a vessel,
as to say that," the point of land bore N.E.," meaning that it was
seen from the vessel in a north-easterly direction. Thus to keep one's
bearings is to keep a certain point in view in the same direction.
To be out of one's bearings, to be travelling in a wrong direction.
To lose one's bearings, to lose one's way, as it were, upon the
waters.
Beat (in sailing). — Beating, beating up, beating to windward ;
also called working to windward, pegging to windward, and some-
times tacking, is making progress against the wind (and, therefore,
16
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
close-hauled) l>y a zigzag course, with the wind first on one bow and
then on the other.
Becalmed.— To be becalmed is to be left without a wind, and
therefore, in a sailing ship, to be without power of moving. But we
hear of vessels of considerable burden making habitual use of sweeps
(large oars), when becalmed, so lately as the early part of the
present century ; and with some foreigners it is still the practice.
Becket. — An eye in the end of a rope : it is often used in
connection with a toggle. (Sec TOGGLE AND Becket.) Falconer
gives the following definition of beckets : "Anything used to confine
loose ropes, tackles, oars, or spars, in a convenient place : hence,
beckets are either large hooks, or short pieces
of rope, with a knot on one end and an eye in
the other, or formed bike a circular wreath ;
or they are wooden brackets, and, probably,
from a corruption and misapplication of this
last term, arose the word becket, which seems
often to be confounded with bracket." The
word beckets, in naval phraseology, is some-
times used for pockets, thus, " Hands out of
beckets, sir ! "
To becket the helm. — To lash down the tiller
of a boat so that it may not sway about when
she is at anchor, or at her moorings. (See also
Lash the Tiller.)
Becueing. — A method of attaching a line
to a small anchor or grapnel, so that in case
the grapnel should become fixed under some
rock, a strong pull will break the seizing
(called the stopper), and enable the flukes
to be drawn upwards. The manner in which
this becueing is done will best be understood by reference to the
engraving. It is much employed by crabmenand others w r orking on
rocky parts of the coast.
Bed of the bowsprit. — That part of the beak of a large
vessel, or the deck on a small one, in which the lower part of the
bowsprit lies.
Bees. — Pieces of plank bolted to the upper end of the bowsprit
in a large vessel.
Before. — Forward, or in front of; more usually expressed
a? fore.
Before the mast. — The lodgment of working seamen on ship-
board, as distinguisliing them from the officers, who lodge aft.
Hence a man who goes as seaman is said to go before the mast.
Belay. — To make fast a rope (that rope being, generally, part
of the limning rigging, as a fall), by twisting it round (in the
manner of a figure of 8) a cleat, kevel or belaying -pin, without tyin--
it into a knot.
Becueing.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 17
Belaying pin. — A pin or bolt of wood, galvanised iron, or of gun
metal, placed in a convenient spot for the belaying of a halyard.
In sailing ships the principal belaying pins are just by the shrouds,
as all halyards lead here, but in small fore-and-aft rigged vessels
they are placed around the masts.
Bellows. — A fresh hand at the bellows. — An expression often
made use of to express that the wind has become fresher.
Bells. — On shipboard, bells express the time, and are struck by the
officer of the watch. The bells are struck every half-hour. The
day of 12 hours is divided into three, thus : — 1. Noon to four o'clock.
2. Four o'clock to eight o'clock. 3. Eight o'clock to midnight —
and the same at night. Thus in every tour hours there will be 8
bells — viz., at noon, four o'clock, eight o'clock, and midnight; but
in the dog watches, these being only of two hours' duration each,
there will be but 4 bells.
Fog bells. — Eveiy sailing ship and steam vessel is obliged to supply
itself with a bell, called the fog bell, to be sounded while the ship
lies at anchor in a fog, at intervals of not less than two minutes.
Bell buoys. — Buoys placed at the entrance to certain harbours
to mark the bar, or some shoal, and furnished with a bell.
Belly (of sails).— (See Bunt.)
Belly bands (of sails). — Strips or bands of canvas sewed across
large sails about half way between the close- reef and the foot, to
prevent them from bellying ; for it is found that , after a time, all sails
will belly, partly on account of the canvas stretching, but mainly
because the edges, being strengthened with extra stuff and bolt
ropes, are stiffer than the bunt.
Belly guy. — A guy (rope) or support in the middle, or belly of
anything.
Below. — Low down ; below deck ; or under water.
Benches.— The after thwarts, or seats, in large open boats are
sometimes called the benches, and those extending along the sides,
side-benches.
Bend. — 1. (Of a rope). — The bent portion (see Bight), and hence
the name of a knot, as the carrick bend, common bend, etc.
(See KNOTS). From this — To bend becomes a general sea term for
fastening anything, as to bend one rope to another, a sail to a yard
or gaff, the anchor to its cable, etc.
2. To bend (in sailing) is to lie over under press of canvas.
Bends or wales, in ship building, are the thickest planks in the sides
of a wooden ship, giving to it its chief strength. They are reckoned
from the water upwards, being distinguished as the first, second or third
bend, and they have the beams and upper f idiocies bolted to them.
Bent timbers or bent heads. — These, in a small boat, correspond
to the ribs in a larger vessel. Each is usually of one piece, steamed
| lient into the shape of the boat ; and the strakes (or planking)
^ured to them. They are also called heads, meaning bent-heads.
C
18 A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TERMS.
Bent on a splice. — A sailor's manner of expressing that some person
is bent upon getting married.
Beneap. — If a vessel should run aground towards high water,
during the last of the spring, or big tides, she may possibly have to
lie there until the following spring tides float her off : in this con-
dition she is said to be beneaped, because the neap tides are not high
enough to float her. The situation may be serious, since, during a
whole fortnight, there is time for any changes in the weather, and in
the event of a gale rising, the vessel might become a wreck. No
vessel will allow herself, therefore, to become beneaped, if by any
means she can be got off.
Bermuda rig. — This rig is not common, but has, at times, been
made use of for small yachts, when it consists of two or three raking
pole masts, each cariying a gaff sail, and, as headsail, a large jib.
It is a pretty rig, and fast ; but cannot compare in either with the
schooner. The origin of the rig may be found in those " three-
masted schooners built at Bermuda during the war of 1814. They
went through the waves without rising to them, and consequently
were too ticklish for northern stations." (Smyth.) (See also under
MUDIAN.)
Berth. — On ship board, a cabin. Sometimes a bed, or any space for
the swinging of a hammock, is so called. A ship's berth is the place
in which she lies, or is anchored ; thus, with good anchorage and in a
sheltered situation, she is said to have come to a comfortable berth.
Berth. — A position or employment to be secured, in Avhich case
the term becomes synonymous with the word billet.
Best. — Best and best, best boat. — The expression " best and
best " is often met with in reports of sculling matches about to be
arranged— the competitors agreeing to row a match in best and best
boats. This actually implies that each may choose the best boat he
can find ; and as it is customary to have special boats built for the
occasion, on the most approved principles, these have become
known as best boats. They may also be called wager boats, because
wagers are usually laid on the result of the race. A best boat is,
then, a racing boat of the most approved type. It is of the lightest
possible material, very long and very narrow, with only just the
room, in fact, in which a man can sit. It has no keel, being often
semi-circular in section, and fitted with a small fin some way aft
of the sculler which takes the place of keel; and the interior,
except where the sculler sits, is covered in by oiled silk. It is fitted
with sliding seats and long outriggers, and the well protected by a
wash-board, or coaming, some inches in height. The whole thing
sometimes weighs no more than 17 lbs. These boats, it may well be
imagined, are only suited to smooth waters, though it is astonishing
to see what waves they will sometimes live through. It is no un-
common occurrence, however, for them to be swamped, and to render
them less liable to such an accident an invention has lately been
brought out, the principle of which is to cover them entirely in,
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS. 19
placing the sculler on the top. The principal, among other objections,
to this method is that the sculler, being placed very high up, offers
considerably more resistance to the wind than when low down. It
remains to be seen whether this departure will materially influence
the designs of future racing boats.
Between decks, or 'tween decks. — In a vessel of more than
one deck, to be between the upper and the lower.
Betwixt wind and water. — About the load water line. A
vulnerable point in which to be struck, and hence its use in every-
day conversation.
Bibbs. — Brackets or bolsters near the head of a mast upon which
rest the trestle-trees. Bibbs are also called hounds. (See fig. under
Mast. )
Big topsail.— (See Topsails.)
Bight (Saxon, bygan, to bend: prefer per feet bent). — 1. Of a rope.
The double part when it is folded, in contradistinction to the end.
It is, in fact, the bend or loop in a rope (see Knots) : hence the
origin of the term "to bend on." (See Bend.) 2. Bight. A small
inlet or bay on the line of a coast, or in the bank of a river.
Bilge (often pronounced billldge). — The bilge is the lower part
of a vessel, upon which she rests when aground.
Bilge boards. — (See Floor boards under Floor.)
Bilge pieces, or bilge keels, are strips fitted like keels on the out-
side of the bilges, and serving both as a cradle for her to rest upon,
and, to a certain extent, as keels when she careens over in sailing.
In steamers they minimise the rolling. (See diagram under Frame. )
Bilge water. — The water that collects in the bottom of a vessel.
It is said on board ship that when the bilge water pumps up clear,
the vessel is leaky, while in a tight ship it comes up black and
smelling. From this we have the popular expression, 'as foul as
bilge water." A little water is generally allowed to remain at the
bottom of open boats for the purpose of keeping their lower boards
swelled ; but this cannot be looked upon as bilge water.
Bilge ways. — The timbers upon which a vessel is launched.
Bill (of an anchor). — The extremity of the fluke. (See Anchor.)
Bill of health. — " A certificate or instrument, signed by proper
authorities, delivered to the masters of ships at the time of their
clearing out from all ports or places suspected of being infected
by particular disorders, certifying the state of health at the time
that such ship sailed. Bills of health are of three kinds — clean,
foul, and suspected, which are self-explanatory terms." (Brande
and Cox.)
Bill of lading. — "A document, subscribed by the master of a ship,
acknowledging the receipt of goods intrusted to him for trans-
portation, and binding himself (under certain exceptions) to deliver
them to the person to whom they are addressed, in good condition,
for a certain remuneration or freightage. Of bills of lading there
are usually triplicate copies : one for the party transmitting the
' o 2
20
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
goods, another for the person to whom the goods are addressed,
and the third for the master." (Brande and Cox.)
Billander. — " A small merchant vessel, with two masts. It is
particularly distinguished from other vessels of two masts hy the form
of her mainsail, which is bent to the whole length of a yard hanging
fore and aft, and inclined to the horizontal in an angle of about 45
degrees, and hanging immediately over the stern, while the fore
end slopes downward, and comes as far forward as the middle of
the ship ; the foremost lower corner, called the tack, being secured
to a ring-bolt in the deck, and the aft-
most, or sheet, to another in the taffrail.
At present there are few vessels of this
description." (Falconer's Dictionary.)
The vessel has now become extinct.
Bill board. — On ships, a support upon
which the bills, or flukes, of the anchor
rest when it is on deck.
Billet. — -A berth or position to be
secured. The origin of the term is prob-
ably connected with the "billet" or letter
introducing one person to another.
Billyboy. — A class of coasting vessels
sailing from the Humber ports, from which
circumstance they are frequently called
Yorkshire billyboys. The old billyboy
was built with round and bluff stem
and stern, and presented that which may
be called a Dutch appearance. It was usually ketch rigged,
carrying square sail, occasionally a square topsail, and sometimes,
even, a mizzen staysail. But it was also rigged otherwise, as
schooner or brigantine. These vessels are still to be seen.
Bind. — To wind around, as binding the end of a rope with yarn.
Also an iron band, as the binding of a dead-eye.
Binnacle. — The fixed case and stand in which the steering
compass in any vessel is set.
Bite. — Spoken of an anchor when it holds the ground — it then
bites. (This must not be confounded with the word Bight.)
Bitts. — Small posts or timber heads fixed through the deck of a
vessel, either round masts or at the foot of the bowsprit. There are
various bitts in a ship, but in small craft the term is generally under-
stood to mean the bowsprit bitts, which support the stock of the bow-
sprit and frequently serve as kevels, or cleats, around which to " bitt "
or wind the cable, so that it shall remain fast. (See fig. under Bow-
SPEIT.) In large vessels we find riding bitts, which are stout heads
rising considerably from the deck expressly for the purpose of
" bitting " the cable.
To bitt the cable.— To put it round the bitts in order to fasten it
or slacken it gradually, which last is called veering away.
Billyboy.
A DICTIONABY OP SEA TEEMS. 21
Bitter. — A ship stopped by her cable is said to be brought up to a
bitter.
Bitter end. — That part of a vessel just abaft the bitts.
Blacklead. — The bottom of a racing yacht is sometimes payed
with (rubbed over with) blacklead to reduce the friction of the water
with the hull.
Black-strake. — The strake on a vessel's side which is made
black. " A range of planks immediately above the wales in a ship's
.side ; they are always covered with a mixture of tar and lamp-black,
which preserves the plank itself and forms an agreeable variety with
the white bottom beneath, and the scraped planks of the side,
covered with melted turpentine, or varnish of pine, alone."
(Falconer.)
Blackwall hitch. — A hitch (or half-knot) for loosely attaching
a rope to a hook. (See KNOTS.)
Blade. — The flat part of an oar, scull, or sweep ; also of a
paddle, though this last is more properly called the fan.
Bleed the monkey. — To steal from the grog kid.
Blind-pulley. — A hole or block without a sheave in it. (nee
Block.)
Block. — The instrument generally described on shore as a
" pulley ;" but this latter term has little or no meaning among sea-
faring men, who invariably speak of a block. When two or more
blocks are employed to move a single weight, they, with their ropes,
constitute a tackle. (See Tackle.) A block is a machine made up
of several parts, and with the utmost nicety ; and it may be
regarded as among the most important parts of a vessel's rigging. The
parts are as follows (see fig.) : — Tbe block is the piece (or block) of
wood which constitutes the main body of the machine. The shell is
the outside casing, the upper portion of which is called the head. This
shell consists of two parts which encase the block and which are
bound together, or seized, with a band called a strop ; and to prevent
this strop from slipping off they have grooves cut in them, above
and below : the grooves are called scores. The scores do not meet
at the head of the block, but at the bottom they do, forming a con-
tinuous groove called the ass. The sheave is the wheel of the
pulley, and it fits into the sheave-hole or swallow, which is the slot,
or mortise-hole, cut through the block to receive it.* Blocks may
be double-sheaved, triple-sheaved, or fourfold-sheaved, according to
the number of sheaves they cany. Sheaves are of some hard wood
(such as lignum vitce) or of metal, sometimes of both ; and they are
fitted with a centre-piece called the bouch, which travels upon
the axle. They are set in the sheave-hole, below the middle,
so as to allow room for the rope to run freely through. The axle
* It has been said that " the wheel is frequently, though erroneously, called the
sheave." We are unable to reconcile this either with practice or with the account
of terms used in the manufacture of old blocks by Brunei's block machinery, and
we therefore retain the old definition of a sheave.
22
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
HEA£
SHEAVE-
has, or should have, a square head. All Mocks, however, are not
furnished with sheaves. Those usually employed in standing
rigging are blind or dead — i.e., merely pierced with holes. Such
are deadeyes, by whicli shrouds are hauled taut, and blind pul-
leys, often found on small craft, for leading ropes aft.
Blocks are of various descriptions, according to the uses to which
they are turned. Some of them are as follow : — Gin block. — An
iron block with a hook,
to swing from a gin (a
hoisting machine). Hook
block. — A block to which
a hook is attached. Such
are blocks which are at-
tached to a mast or any
other spar. Small iron
hook blocks are also used
on various occasions.
Jewel block. — A block
which may be fitted to
a yard-arm. Such blocks
in a square rigged ship
take the halyards of the
studding - sails, while in
fore-and-aft rig a jewel
block may be fitted to
the end of the gaff for
the flag- halyard. Snatch
block. — A block of one
sheave into which the
bight of a rope can be
slipped. This is useful
when the end of a rope
cannot be got at. Tail
block. — A block with
rope strop, the ends of
which are left long, so
that they may be tied
round anything ; these
ends forming what is
called the "tail." Blind
pulleys are wooden blocks
naving a hole pierced through them, but no sheave (above men-
tioned). Deadeyes. — Blind blocks connecting shrouds with channel
plates, and serving to set up the shrouds. (See Deadeyes, under
Dead.) The use of iron blocks is becoming more common than
formerly. They are employed on various occasions, as, for in-
stance, for chains; and where they occur they are often called
iron pulleys.
To fleet blocks in a tackle is to bring them down close together.
1T?QN Puuey
Blocks.
A DICTIONAEY OP SEA TEEMS.
23
The term has something of an equivalent in chocking a Mock, which
is to haul one hlock down to a rail or hook, or down to another. To
strop a block is to bind on its strop (the band by which it is attached
to some other object, and which
also holds the casing together).
Strops may be of rope or iron.
The principle of the pulley is
a subject outside the scope of
such a work as the present ; it
will be found fully explained in
any Avork on mechanics. But it
may not be out of place to
remind the reader that a fixed
block serves merely to change the
direction of a force, while with
one or more movable blocks a
mechanical advantage is obtained.
This mechanical advantage, or
"acquisition," is called the pur-
chase, and hence it is that the
rope upon which men pull to lift
a weight is, in nautical phrase-
ology, called the purchase of a
tackle (a perfectly correct term),
while the tackle itself also often
goes by the same name.
Blocks are measured by their
length over all, expressed in
inches: e.g., a 6in. block is one
which measures 6in. in length over the entire wood-work. A block
is generally supposed to take a rope of a circumference one-third
its length : thus a 6in. block will take a 2in. rope ; but the rule
is not always followed. The best blocks are those in which the
grain of the wood runs diagonally across the flat surface, for then
they are less liable to split, and if they should it will be across the
strop, which will still hold them together.
Blockade. — In international law, a prevention of exit or en-
trance from or to any port of an enemy in war, and an exclusion
(under certain terms) of neutrals.
Blocksliip. — An old naval term. A ship engaged in blockading.
" A large vessel employed on coast duty for the protection of a
specified district. "
Blow the gaff (old naval term). — To inform against any
person or persons. To let out some secret.
Blue- — Blue peter. — The flag denoting the departure of a vessel,
hoisted at the fore part of the rigging, either on the bowsprit, fore-
stay, etc. It is a blue flag, with a white square in centre.
To look blue. — To look astonished or foolish.
Fleeting Blocks.
24 A DICTIONAEY OP SEA TEEMS.
Till all is blue. — Till the end of all things.
To blue (probably " to blow," or " blow away "). — To squander a
sum of money. In other words to make it look blue.
Bluff. — Abrupt. A cliff or highland projecting into the sea
almost perpendicularly is called a bluff.
Bluff-bow, bluff-head. — A vessel is said to be bluff-bowed when she
has broad and flat bows, and when her stem has but little or no rake
(inclination) she may also be called bluff-headed. {See fig. under
Square Stem.)
Board. — 1. Board. An expression signifying the side of a ship.
Hence : — a'board, inside or on the ship.
By the board. — Over the ship's side. Therefore to slip by the board
is to slip down by her side.
Board and board. — An expression signifying that two vessels come
so near each other as to touch ; but it is also used to describe the
position of two ships which lie side by side.
To board. — Boarding is the act of going on board a vessel, but it
is often understood to mean going on board by force, as in battle,
piracy, or for the purpose of arresting some person or persons on board.
Boarders (in old warfare). — " Sailors appointed to make an attack
by boarding, or to repel such an attempt by the enemy."
Boarding-pike. — A defensive weapon used by sailors in boarding
an enemy's vessel. Though the practice of boarding an enemy has,
of course, become extinct since the introduction of the modern type
of ship, yet the drill is still kept up on Her Majesty's ships.
Board in the smoke. — To take advantage or get the better of
some person when they are not expecting it. The term is, of course,
derived from the custom, in old warfare, of boarding an enemy
when concealed by the smoke of guns.
2. Board (in sailing) is the distance a vessel travels between each
tack (that is, without turning), so that to make a good board or stretch
is to travel straight and make good progress against the wind ; to
make a long hoard, to keep for a long time on the same tack ; to
make short boards, to tack frequently ; while to make a stern board is to
fall back again from a point already gained, which may be the result
of a strong head tide or any other accident. (See Stern Board. )
3. Board of Trade. — The Committee of the Privy Council for the
Affairs of Trade. " The Board of Trade have certain powers in
respect of passenger steamers on the Thames in common with other
passenger steamboats, etc. This is also the department of the
Government to which, under the Acts relating to the Conservancy
Board and Trinity House, certain questions arising under these
Acts are referred. "
Boat.— The forms of boats are innumerable. They vary with
locality, each district giving its own name as it does its own form.
Reference must, therefore, be made under such heads as Peter-
boat, Wager-boat, etc.
To boat, oars — more commonly called unshipping oars — is to bring
them into the boat, generally after rowing.
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
25
Boat-hooks.
Boat-hook. — A most useful implement in the form of a hook or
spike at the end of a pole. It has an infinite number of uses, as for
instance, to hold on to a chain or rope, or a grassy
bank ; to keep a boat's head or stern away from a
wall; to prevent collision with any other craft, etc. ;
and, in a sailing boat, to pick up a mooring.
There are various forms of boat-hooks. One is a
mere spike ; another a hook and spike ; a third
a double hook. Sometimes a paddle-blade is
combined with the boat-hook ; and sometimes for
sailing boats, the pole is marked in feet, and used
in shallow water instead of the lead bine. A person
situated in the middle of a boat has more power to
keep her straight with the boat-hook than if he
were in the bow or stem. Seated amidships he can,
by thrusting out the stern of the boat, get her head
in, or, by pulling on the stem, get her away from
any object.
Boat-sJcids " are long square pieces of fir, extend-
ing across the ship from the gang-board, and on
which the boats, spare masts, etc., are laid." (Fal-
coner's Diction aiy.)
Boatswain (pronounced bo'sun). — "The second of
the three warrant officers of a man-of-war ; he has
charge of the boats, rigging, anchors, and cables. It is his duty
to turn the hands up, or summon the whole crew, whenever they
are required for duty. He should, from the nature of his duties,
be an active man, and a thorough seaman. The boatswain's mates
assist the boatswain, summon the watches or other portions of the
crew to duty, and inflict punishments." (Brande and Cox, 1865.)
Bob-stay. — A stay (or rope) made fast to the stem post of a
boat, at the cutwater, and leading to the nose of the bowsprit,
where it is taken up by a tackle sometimes called the bob-stay
purchase. The bob-stay fall {i.e., the rope leading from the
tackle) serves to taughten the bob-stay ; it leads inboard along
the bowsprit and, in boats, belays to the bowsprit bitts. The
act of hauling on this purchase is called bowsing down the bow-
sprit. (See diagram under Bowsprit.) The bob-stay may be of
rope, wire-rope, or of chain. To it, in small craft, about one-
third of its length from the stem, is generally attached a rope
leading on deck. This is the bob-stay tricing- line : its use is to
trice up the bob-stay when at anchor — i.e., to pull it up close to
the stem-post, so as to prevent its chafing against the anchor or
mooring chain. The office of the bob-stay is to prevent the bowsprit
from topping up. It acts in opposition to the fore or fore topmast
stays, and takes much of the strain of the head sails. It is not un-
usual, in yacht racing, to hear of its breaking ; such an accident is
fatal, as without a bob-stay the whole forward gear of the boat might
be carried away, and the time required to rig a new one would upset
26
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
BOLLARDS.
any chance she might have. The yacht Ailsa broke her bob-stay "at
the start of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club Ocean Match in 1895,
and was immediately brought to and
taken back to Gravesend.
Body. — The hull of a vessel,
without fitting s.
Body-plan. (See Line.)
Bollards. — An old name, though
one still in use, for those posts of
timber frequently seen on the sides
of docks, quays, piers, etc., on
which hawsers or springs (ropes) are
thrown for hauling vessels alongside.
Bollard timbers. — Otherwise called
knight-heads [which see).
Bollocks. — Blocks secured to the middle of the topsail yards
in large ships ; the topsail ties pass through them, and thereby
gain an increase of power in lifting the yards.
Bolster. — Generally speaking, a pad ; often a piece of timber,
either used to " bolster up " anything requiring slight alteration
or support, or upon masts, to bear some part of the standing
rigging. Thus the brackets on a mast which support the trestle
trees, or those carrying shrouds or stays, are called bolsters or bibbs.
Bolt. — The appearance of a bolt is well known to everyone, whether
ashore or afloat ; it is a short rod, usually of iron or other metal
(though occasionally of wood, when it is known as a trennel), hold-
ing two members together. On shipboard there are various bolts,
besides those which hold the timbers ; as, for instance — bolt-eyes,
or screw-eyes (sometimes called eye-bolts), the heads of which form
an eye, and which may be screwed into almost any part of a boat
to lead ropes through or to make them fast ; ring-bolls, into the
heads of which are fitted a loose ring. [See also under these headings. )
Bolt-ropes. — The ropes along the borders or edges of a sail, for
the purpose of strengthening those parts. Each bolt-rope takes its
name from its position on a sail ; thus there are the head, the foot
and the leach ropes. [Set Sail.)
Bonnet. — An additional part made to fasten with latchings or
laskets to the foot of the sails of small vessels in moderate winds. It is
exactly similar to the foot
of the sail it is intended for.
Buttons are also sometimes
used in fastening it Bon-
nets, may be seen inconstant
use in the wherries of Nor-
folk and Suffolk (see fig. 1
under Noef OLK Wherry) ,
also in some of the Cornish
fishing-craft. They were al?o originally employe:! on square sails.
Booby Hatch.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
27
Booby hatch. — A raised cabin head -with sliding hatch. (See fig .)
Boom. — A boom is a pole extending outboard (i.e. , outwards from a
vessel) ; and from this, anything extending outwards is said to be
boomed out, as a lug sail, which may be described as boomed out if
only held outward by an oar ; and the shrouds of a bowsprit, which are
said to be boomed out on its whiskers. Sail booms take their names
from the sails they extend, as the main, mizzen, or spinnaker booms.
They constitute the only means whereby such sails can be taken
beyond the sides, or taffrail ; and they moreover help to stand the
sails flat. As an example, for the fittings of a boom we may take
that of the mainsail of a cutter. It is held to the mast either by a
Booms
J'oint called the gooseneck and shaffle (ivhich sec), or, otherwise, it
las jaws which partially encircle the mast, these jaws resting on a
stout ring round the lower portion of the mast, called the saddle or
bolster. The entire fitting constitutes that which is known as the
boom stays. At the after end of the boom is generally to be found
a member known as the clamp or cleat. This consists of a flat piece
projecting on each side and perforated with various holes : it forms
a sort of cleat, through the holes of which the reef pendants can be
passed and tied down when the sail is reefed. This clamp is some-
times, however, dispensed with, and a traveller, or an outhaul, used
in its place. Over the end of the boom the grommet of the topping-
lift is passed ; this latter is a rope used for lifting, or topping, the
boom when taking in a reef, or tricing up the sail, it being necessary
28 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
at such times to take the weight of the boom off the halyards. The
boom rests, when the boat is at anchor, on a crutch — sometimes called
a mitehboard — which may be either a simple pair of trestle legs, or,
in the latter case, a flat board with a half circle cut out of the top,
this also being to take the weight of the spar. (See CRUTCH.)
And it is usually covered, when the sail is furled, by a water-proof
sail cloth, which encloses boom, sail, and gaff — the gaff-halyards
being unshackled and attached to slings which pass under the boom.
(See under Sling.) The tendency of a boom being to bend upwards
it is made somewhat thicker in the middle than at the ends. In large
racing yachts the mainsail is laced to the boom ; but in cruisers the
foot is generally tacked down at each end and, if fastened to the
boom at all, merely lashed to it by short ropes, so as to be readily
let go. A boom is not a necessaiy adjunct to the mainsail of a
single-masted boat. Many, more especially fishing craft, cany
sails which merely hang from the gaff, and may be brailed up by a
clew-line, at any moment : these sails are called trysails, and are
sometimes rigged to yachts for winter work ; the fact that they
are without the boom rendering them very handy in variable weather.
Other booms, apart from the main, are as follow : —
Spinnaker boom. — A very long and light spar, often longer than
the lower mast, which extends a spinnaker — i.e., a racing sail, set,
when running before the wind, on the side opposite to that on
which the mainsail stands. When no longer in use, this boom is
usually topped up to the mast, or, being ran out forward of the
shrouds, it may be laid forward by the bowsprit.
Licg sail boom. — The lower yard of a balance-lug is called the
boom.
Jigger-boom. — The bumpkin which, in yawls, is often set out and
fixed beyond the taffrail is sometimes known as the jigger-boom.
Boomkin (pronounced and often written "bumpkin"). — This is
a small boom, usually fixed, and serving to work a sail extending
beyond the taffrail of a boat. If very small it may be called a
jigger.
A jib-boom is a species of extra bowsprit supported by and ex-
tended beyond that spar : it is only found on large yachts, and
not often there ; belonging, mostly, to trading vessels.
A jiying jib-boom is a prolongation of the jib-boom, carrying
a flying jib : it belongs only to large vessels.
A sprit, which passes diagonally across a fore and aft sail, is not a
boom ; nor must it be confounded with it, as the office of each is
very different from the other. (See Sprit.)
Boom foresail (in a schooner). — The foresail ; that is the gaff
sail on the foremast. (See SCHOONER.) It is so called because
it carries a boom, but principally to distinguish it from the fore
stay-sail, which is often called the foresail. (See under FORE.)
On occasions we hear seamen speak of " the two mainsails " or
" both mainsails " of a schooner, meaning the mainsail and the
boom foresail.
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS. 29
Boom-iron (in ships). — An iron implement composed of two
rings, formed into one piece, so as nearly to resemble the figure 8.
It is employed to connect two cylindrical pieces of wood together,
such as the jib-boom to the bowsprit, studding sail booms to the
yards, etc.
Boom square sail. — In old vessels one of the courses (usually
the fore-course), the foot of which is extended on a boom so that it
may be topped over the fore or main stay when the ship comes
round.
Boom-stays. — The fittings of a boom to its mast. They may
consist either of a snaffle and gooseneck joint, or of a saddle for the
jaws of the boom, when it has them. {See Gooseneck AND
Shaffle.)
Boot-topping. — Scraping a ship's bottom and paying it over
with a mixture or tallow, sulphur, resin, etc.
Bore. — " A word used to express the sudden rise of the tide in
certain estuaries, as in the Severn."
To bore. — When down by the head a vessel is said to bore.
Both, sheets aft. — An expression used with respect to a square
rigged vessel, signifying that she is running before the wind, in
doing which the sheets of her square sails will be drawn aft equally.
Bottom. — Of a ship, that part of her which is under the water
line. As used by commercial men, the term sometimes refers to
the ship itself, as, for instance, in the phrase, " a trade in foreign
bottoms. "
Bottomry. — A term in commercial law referring to the letting
or mortgaging of ships. (See also RESPONDENTIA. )
Bound. — Tightly held (of a ship).
Outward bound. — Leaving home.
Homeward bound. — Returning home.
Tide bound. — Unable to make progress because of a
head tide.
Wind bound. — At anchor because unable to make
progress in consequence of contrary winds.
Bow (Bows of a ship). — The sides at the
fore-part of a vessel, distinguished one from the
other by the right and left hand, the first being
the starboard-bow, the second the port-bow (fig. 1).
(In rowing) Bow. — The headmost rower (nearest
the bow) : lie is No. 1 (fig. 2). All the rowers count
from him ; thus, the composition of an eight-oar boat
will be as follows -.—Bow (1), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, stroke (8), cox-
swain. In pair-oar or double-sculling the rowers are known as
bow and stroke, and their oars are numbered 1 and 2.
Bow side. — The side upon which the bow-man puts out his oar j
that is on his left-hand side. The terms starboard and port are
never used in rowing, the bow-side and stroke-side being spoken of
instead. The bow-side is therefore the starboard side.
30
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
Bow - board, in a pleasure skiff. — A
board fitting the bows of a boat and
forming a back upon which a person may
recline.
Bowline.~(See Bowline.)
Bow - sprit (anciently bolt - spi-it). —
One of the main spars in a vessel. It
is a pole or " sprit " projecting forward
from the stem and taking the forestays
and bobstays. Its office is to enable a
vessel to carry an increased spread of
canvas in the form of head-sails, and to
furnish a forward support to the top-
mast, though this latter object could
actually be obtained without its use.
The methods of fitting a bowsprit and
keeping it in place are as follow: Some
little distance aft of the stempost and
on the deck of the vessel are fitted two
stout timber heads called the bowsprit
bitts ; between these bitts the boAvsprit
is stepped (or placed). It is kept from
rising by a cross piece called the cross-
bitt, and from sliding inwards by a fid at the heel. At
the stem are the Jcrdghtheads, and the bowsprit runs between
these also, and in large vessels is supported by them. But
in small craft the bowsprit lies on the deck and does not
Stoc*,
J*
ii
— V\
5
6
J'
_ 7
C8) STROKf
Fig. 2.— Rowing.
Bowsprit.
A. Cranse-iron.
B. Topmast forestay.
C. Bobstay purchase.
D. Bobstay.
E. Rising line:
F. Bowsprit shrouds.
G. Bobstay fall.
H. Gammoning iron.
J. Knighthead.
K. Crossbitt.
L. Traveller with jib outhaul.
require the support of the knightheads, which are, therefore,
of a different form. (See under Knightheads. ) The bow-
sprit must, nevertheless, have some support at the stem, and
tins is obtained by a stout ring, called the gammoning-iron,
through which it is passed ; this gammoning iron is usually bolted
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 31
to the stem on its port, or left-hand side. The bowsprit, like the
mast, requires staifing, for it has to sustain almost as great a strain.
At its forward end it is fitted with a metal cap, called the cranse-
iron, which is made with several rings upon it to take the standing
ends of the stays. The most important of these is the bob-stay, for
it holds the bowsprit down against the strain of the topmast-fore-
stay, which leads from the topmast head to the nose of the bowsprit.
Laterally, the bowsprit is stayed by shrouds, and if the boat is very
narrow or the spar very long, these bowsprit-shrouds are boomed
out — i.e., extended on small cross-trees called whiskers (which see).
The shrouds lead to the bows and are set up (or tightened) by means
of a purchase, which leads in board, or in small boats sometimes by
screw-tighteners. The angle which the bowsprit of a ship makes with
the horizontal is called the steeve ; this is seldom seen in small craft.
The act of hauling it inboard is called reeving it, and that of haul-
ing on the bobstay to tighten before making sail is bowsing
down the bowsprit. The method of fixing the bowsprit constitutes
the main difference between the cutter and sloop rig. In the
sloop it is a standing spar, taking the tack of the foresail ; in a
cutter it is a reeving spar and the foresail is secured at the stem-
head. (See under both Cutter and Sloop.)
Bower. — One of the large anchors of a ship which hold her by
the bows, hence the name. (See Anchor. )
Bowgrace. — A name given, in ships sailing in frozen regions, to
a framework of old rope or junk laid round the bows, stem and sides
of a vessel to protect her from floating ice.
Bowline. 1. — A loop in a rope, tied in a peculiar manner and
often used to throw over a post. (See KNOTS. ) 2. A rope fastened
to a square sail near the middle of the leech by three or four shorter
ropes called bridles. Bowlines are employed on the principal sails
in a square-rigged vessel to keep the weather edges forward and
steady, for without some such tension the sails would be continu-
ously shivering. Hence to be sailing with a taut bowline is to be
close-hauled (which see). To check the bowlines is to slacken them as
the ship falls off from the wind.
Bowse down. — To haul down taut. The act of tightening a
bobstay by hauling on its fall (i.e., its running end) is called botcs-
ing down the bowsprit.
Box. — Boxing the compass. — Repeating the points of the com-
pass in order, starting from any point. (See COMPASS.) Though
this accomplishment may be unnecessary to amateur sailors -a
thorough familiarity with the compass cannot fail to prove of the
utmost service on many occasions.
Boxing off. — Generally speaking, throwing a vessel's head off
from the wind. There are many occasions in a sailing boat when
this may be done, as, for instance, at starting, when unable to get
round in tacking, or if there be danger of running aground. In the
last case the plan formerly called box hauling may be resorted to
32
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
which, should the boat refuse to come round, will bring her back
upon the same tack as she was before.
Box hauling (an obsolete term) is a method of " bringing a
ship, when close-hauled, round upon the other tack, when she
refuses to tack and there is not room to wear. By throwing the
head sails ahack she gets stern way ; the helm thereupon being put
a-lee, the ship's head falls rapidly off from the wind (this, because
when a vessel is moving backwards the rudder acts the reverse way),
which she soon brings aft ; she is
then speedily rounded to Avith but
little loss of ground." (Brande and
Cox.)
Brace. — A rope communicating
with a boom or yard-arm for the
purpose of trimming the sail to
which such a spar may be attached.
In square rigged ships the braces
trim the yards horizontally. Hence
the orders brace back, brace in,
brace or round up sharp, etc.
Rudder braces. — The eyes in
which a rudder swings are some-
times called braces. (See RUDDER. )
Brace of shakes. — A slang ex-
pression signifying "quickly." (Its
origin is explained under the head-
ing Shake.)
Brackish. — Spoken of water in
a river when half salt and half
fresh.
Brail. — A rope encircling a sail
for the purpose of gathering it up
to a mast or yard. Brails are used
on square rigged vessels to assist
in furling the sails. In fore-and-aft rig they are usually em-
ployed where no boom exists. They are common in fishing craft
and almost invariable in sea-going barges. When brails are hauled
taut, the sail is said to be br ailed up. (See fig.)
Break. — 1. (Of the anchor.) — To out anchor.
2. (Of a sail.) — To stop a sail. (See STOP.)
3. (To break bulk.) — "To take part of the ship's cargo out of the
hold." (Bailey.)
Breaker. — 1. A small water barrel.
2. Breakers. — Waves which, in consequence of the shallowness of
the water, curl over and " break " as seen upon any beach. The
breaking seas in deep waters, in high winds, or when the tide
comes up against the wind, are not breakers. These have sometimes
been called " white horses ;" they are dangerous to small boats.
Barge Sail Brailed Up.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
33
BllIG.
Breakwater. — An artificial bank or wall, of any material, set
up either outside a harbour or along a coast to break the violence of
the sea and create a smooth shelter. The small so-called break-
waters, or properly speaking groynes, often met with along a beach
have been usually placed there for the formation, by the action of the
sea, of an artificial beach, when the sea is washing away the land.
Breaming. — The cleansing of the bottom of a vessel by fire
(this melts the pitch or other composition with which she has been
covered) and scraping.
Breast-hook. — A stout knee in the extreme bow of a vessel
holding the parts together. (See diagram under Frame.)
Breechings (mdgo britchings). — Back ropes or stays.
Bridles. — Small ropes connecting
some object with a larger rope. In
square rigged ships, short ropes con-
necting the leech of a sail with the
bowline. {See Bowline.)
Trawl bridles. — The ropes connecting
the beam of a trawl to its warp or main
rope.
Brig.— A vessel with two masts (fore
and main), botb of them square rigged,
but having a gaff mainsail. The brig is
becoming a rare vessel, the brigantine and schooner having taken its
place to a great extent, for reasons explained under the heading liia.
The vessel once known as the snow may be classed under brigs.
Hermaphrodite brig. — A combination of the brig and schooner
rigs from which we get the modern brigantine (whieh see). It is
square rigged on the foremast and fore-
and-aft on the main mast.
Brig-mast. — The name given to a
mast wliich carries a top-gallant mast,
in contradistinction to the schooner-
matt, which has no top-gallant, but
only lower and top-mast. The brig-mast
is the distinguishing difference between
the brigantine and the schooner, and
between the barkentine and the three-
masted schooner (both of which see).
Brigantine. — (A small or lesser
brig.) A vessel with two masts (fore and main), the foremast brig
rigged with square fore course, and the main mast schooner rigged.
The rig, however, may vaiy slightly.
Bring-to. — Bring up, bring up to the wind. — The act of
stopping the course of a sailing vessel by bringing her head up into
the wind.
Broach. — Broaching to. — A slewing round when running before
the wind. This must often be the result of carelessness ; the lx>at's
D
BlMGANTINE.
34
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
Fok Sale.
head will run away to windward, with the result that she turns her
back upon her proper course.
Broadside. — To come up to a
vessel broadside, is to approach her
side foremost, as a dinghy or boat
often comes up to a yacht.
Broadside. — A British broadside,
in the old days of the wooden walls,
was the reception often given to a
too venturesome enemy ; it consisted
in firing all the cannon on one side
of the ship at the same moment.
Broken-backed. — A vessel is
said to have broken her back if her
ends fall apart, as from running on a rock. {See HOGGING. )
Broom at the mast head. — A sign that a boat is for sale. (Sec fig. )
Buccaneer. — A pirate of the West Indies and South America
during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries : they are some-
times called fdibustiers by French writers. For a description of these
freebooters see Burney's " History of the Buccaneers of America."
Bucklers. — Pieces of wood caulking the hawse holes.
Bugalet. — " A small vessel with two masts, used on the coast of
Brittany. The foremast is very short ; and on each mast is carried
a square sail, and, sometimes, a topsail over the mainsail. Tliey
have a bowsprit, and set one or two jibs." (Falconer's Dictionary.)
Build. — There are three methods, in boat building, of disposing
the planks of the sides. 1. Clincher, clench, or lapstrake. 2.
Carvel. 3. Diagonal. A clincher-built boat is one in which the
» Building.
strakes overlap This is the style most generally in vogue for
.small boats. In a carvel-built boat all the planks being flush with
each other, a smooth surface is presented to the eye. This class of
building is the most popular for yachts, and is even superseding
clincher, to a small extent, for skiffs ; but though more convenient,
perhaps, on large hulls, it is hardly likely to take the place of
clincher for open boats where any rough wear is required of them.
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
35
Diagonal Build.
As, in carvel building, the planks can only be secured at the timbers
(or ribs) they require caulking to ensure water-tightness. In diagonal-
building the planks are laid diagonally
across the timbers, and most usually
a second casing is laid over these
running in the contraiy direction.
This method of building ensures
great strength, though at the expense
(unless very Light-built) of some extra
weight. The best wooden yachts are
now built in this way, wliile such
vessels as barges have for a long
time been so where great durability
is looked for.
Bulgeways, or bilgeways. — Timbers placed beneath a vessel
while building. (See also under Bilge.)
Bulk. — Cargo or loose material.
Laden in b ulk. — A vessel laden with loose cargo, as grain , ice, salt, etc.
Bulkhead. — A partition. Bulkheads may be of almost any
material, as wood, canvas, or iron ; and sometimes their office is to
render a vessel additionally secure by dividing it into water-tight
compartments.
Bull's-eye. — A round window in a cabin. Sometimes the
central part of a port-hole light.
Bulwarks. — A parapet round the deck of a vessel to protect
persons or goods from being washed overboard, and the decks from
the sea. In old battle ships they were veiy high and solid, thereby
affording protection from an enemy's musketry ; and during the day
the hammocks of the crew were generally stowed beneath them.
Bum-boat. — An old term for a boat allowed to attend upon a
ship in port, and supply the sailors with various small articles.
Bumpkin (probably correctly named boom-kin, a little
lx>om). — A small fixed boom or short pole. It is usually seen,
either as an extension aft to hold the block by which a mizzen
sail is worked, or as a diminutive bowsprit for an open sailing boat.
In the latter case, it is often of iron and fits over the stern-post,
being fitted with a hook at the forward end, to take a foresail or
the tack of a dipping lug. (See diagram under BOOM.)
Certain yachts have a short thick bumpkin running out under, and
partially supporting the bowsprit, as a jib-boom is supported in a large
vessel. The object of this is to increase the size of the fore-sail by
taking it beyond the stem-head, and a boat thus rigged is, in America,
called a sloop, though not answering to our meaning of that word.
Bung. — 1. The cork which stops the hole at the bottom of a
lx>at. (See PLUG. ) 2. In boat racing it used to be, and occasion-
ally is, in some districts, the practice to start the competitors from
moored buoys which were held by the coxswain and let go when the
signal to go was given : at these times the buoy was called the " bung. "
D 2
36
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
Starboard.
Bunk. — A bed on board ship. The word is used in contradis-
tinction to hammock. A bunk is fixed, a hammock swung.
Bunt, or belly. — It is difficult to define the exact meaning of this
term. Generally speaking, the bunt is the main body of a sail, ex-
clusive of such parts as are named (as the luff and leech, the head,
foot clew, etc.). In square sails the bunt has been thus described: —
" That portion nearest the central perpendicular bine. If a sail be
divided into four equal portions, from side to side, the bunt would
comprise the two centre strips. "
Bunt lines. — Lines for gathering up the bunt of square sails to
their yards. They are fastened to cringles in the foot-rope of a sail.
Buoy. — A floating instrument moored
over a certain spot, either to mark a
shoal or a course for vessels ; to make
vessels fast to ; to mark the situation of a
mooring ; and for various other purposes.
Any floating object which marks some-
thing under the water, or some course or
stream, may, in fact, be called a buoy.
Buoys are of various forms : they may be
round, can, nun, etc. (See below.) They
are also painted in various manners to
distinguish one from another. In estuaries,
or over dangerous spots, we sometimes find
gas buoys, those having a gas light upon
them, or bell buoys, having heavy bells
which may be heard at night or in fogs ;
wlrile many more have beacons upon them
of different shapes, as the round, the dia-
mond, or the square. All these forms have
their particular uses and situations, which
are brought to a uniform system under the
jurisdiction of the Trinity House. Thus on
entering a port (or running on the main
stream of the flood tide) can buoys always
appear on the starboard side and nun buoys
on the port, while spherical buoys mark
the ends of middle grounds. In the river
Thames, on going up from the Nore to
London, the starboard buoys are plain black
or red, some having globular beacons, some being without them.
The port buoys are either chequered, red and white, or black and
white, or painted with vertical stripes of red or black, some having
beacons in the form of a cage, others being without beacons. And
the middle ground buoys are marked with red or black stripes placed
horizontally and being with or without beacons of a diamond shape.
Can buoy (i.e., cone buoy). — One in the form of a cone — not of a
can. (See Can Buoy.)
Port.
Middle.
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TERMS.
37
Swallow Tail.
Nun buoy. — One in the form of a double cone. (See Nun BUOY.)
Wreck buoys are green and marked with the word " Wreck " in
large white letters.
Buoyancy. — That capacity of floating rightly which a vessel
should possess. It is dependent upon form.
Centre of buoyancy. — The centre of gravity of the water displaced
hy any vessel.
Burden. — 1. The capacity of a vessel, as 100 tons burden, etc.
2. Burdens (in shipbuilding). — Timbers laid over the floors to
prevent cargo or ballast from injuring the lining. In boats the
burdens are the footwalings (ivhich see).
Burgee. — A small flag ending in a point or a swallow tail. If it
ends in a point it is, in mercantile language, a pennant ; but among
yacht clubs, each of winch adopts one as a
distinguishing mark, the burgee is almost
always pointed, those of a commodore, rear,
and vice being swallow-tailed. The different
devices to be seen on yachts' burgees are
very numerous, and are published annually
in Hunt's Yacht List. Those clubs which are
Royal may, with very few exceptions, be
distinguished by a regal crown surmounting
their charge ; thus the Royal Squadron dis-
plays, by privilege, the cross of St. George,
over which is the crown ; the Royal London,
the arms of London on a blue field, above
which is the crown ; but the Royal Harwich —
a lion rampant, or, on a blue field — is without
the crown. It is the practice in large yacht
clubs to register and number both its members
and the boats belonging to its fleet, each
having their own particular flag, or number,
as it is usually called. By this means both
boats and members are known separately, and
it is possible to tell, by signal, riot only what
boat has come to a berth, but also who may
be on board. The burgee marks the club to
which a yacht belongs ; numbers (flags) hoisted
over the burgee indicate the boat's number
(and therefore her name) ; numbers hoisted
under the burgee indicate members' numbers
(and therefore their names). Certain yacht
clubs have the privilege granted to them of
using certain ensigns. When a yacht flies a
particular ensign the burgee of the same club
is displayed with it. A yacht may belong to
several clubs, but she never flies the burgee
of one with the ensign of another. And when
she comes to the head-quarters of a club to y. C.
38
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Royal Harwich
Y. C.
which she belongs, she always flies its burgee.
On festive occasions, such as regattas, a yacht
flies all the colours to which her owner has a
right, in order of precedence, with those of
the local club usually at the head, or if he be
an officer of any club the ensign and burgee
of that club have precedence. On Sundays the
burgee may be hoisted and flown together with
any colours that may have been won during the
season, and the ensign over the taffrail.
Bush, or coak.— The centre piece (usually of gun-metal) of a
wooden sheave in a block. It is, in fact, the bearing of the pin on
which the sheave runs. (For a description of its shape see under Coak. )
Buss. — " A two-masted vessel used by the Dutcli and English in
the herring fishery. It is nearly obsolete now ; but when employed
is from fifty to seventy tons in burden." (Brande and Cox.) Falconer
describes it as having been " furnished with two small sneds or
cabins, one at the prow and the other at the stem ; the forward
one being employed as the kitchen." These houses on deck may
still be seen on many Dutch craft.
Butt. — The butt is the lower end of a yard or sprit.
Buttock. — The convexity of the under portion of the stem of a
vessel ; in other words, that part between the counter (or the
transom) and the bilge. Its actual extent is from the after end of
the sheer strake to the keel, in a curved and forward direction.
From this we have what is
called a buttock line, which,
in the lines of a boat, is a
longitudinal vertical section
through one of the buttocks.
On the breadth plan, there-
fore, it appears as a straight
line parallel to the keel ; from thence it is projected to the
bodj' plan, where it becomes a vertical bine ; and from thence
again being projected to the sheer plan, it will be found to
assume a curved form.
(See Line.)
By. — By the head. —
Another manner of ex-
pressing the term " down
by the head," that is>—
the head depressed, as in
the figure.
By the wind (in sailing).
— Sailing with the wind
a' head of the beam. (See
under Close-hauled.) by the head.
f
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS. 39
c.
Cabin. — A habitable apartment on ship-board.
Cable. — The rope or chain by Which a ship's anchor is held.
Cables were formerly of hemp, but to-day chain cables are in almost
universal use. The advantages of the latter are manifold : they
neither chafe nor become rotten ; " and by reason of their greate/
weight the strain is exerted on the cable rather than on the ship."
A chain with a sectional diameter of lin. is said to be equivalent
to a lOin. cable, nearly.
"A cable's length — the tenth of a nautical mile; or approximately,
100 fathoms or iiOO yards." (Lloyd's Almanac.) A chain's length
is 12£ fathoms. A cable is, or should be, fastened at the end to
some strong part of the vessel. The lengths of chain are joined by
shackles, and thus the cable may be shortened or lengthened with-
out interfering either with the anchor or fixed end ; these shackles
have their pins countersunk, so as to offer no impediment to the free
run of the cable, and they are placed lug forward for the same reason.
Swivels are placed at certain intervals (generally at every other
length of chain) so that the chain by turning them maybe prevented
from knitting, that is, from twisting, the technical name for a
twist in chain being knit. In very deep water it may sometimes
be necessary to employ more than one length of cable ; every ad-
ditional length is termed a shot according to its number, thus single-
shot indicates that one length has been addetl, double-shot two
lengths, and so on. A cable Is sometimes marked in fathoms ; and
one of the links is generally marked (either by a bit of bunting or
some other equally convenient material) to show when it has gone out
as far as its length and the necessary bite on the windlass will allow.
To pay out, veer away, or slacken are all synonymous terms for
letting out a cable to a greater or less distance. To pay it out cheajt
is to slacken out quickly or throw the cable over-board in bulk.
To slip the cable is to let it go from the ship, an operation which
may sometimes be necessary in emergency.
Cable laid, cablet. (See under ROPE.)
Caboose.— A cooking house on the deck of a ship. (See COBOOSE. )
Cackling.— (See Keckling.)
Cadet (Naval). — A youth who, having been i •
duly nominated to the Navy, holds a preparatory jjJ,
appoin tment thereto. .']¥
Caique. — A small Levantine vessel or fishing t^r^rSiiaJl
boat or the eastern Mediterranean. v-^^V /"*--^ri
Call. — The small pipe (often of silver) used \/"/>\ / / \\/
by the lwatswain of a ship in piping orders. ^V| l^v"^"^
Camber. — 1. A curvature upwards. A boat's \j
deck, if curving upwards from side to side, or Q
from stem to stern, is said to be cambered, Camberkd Dkck.
and also her keel, if it be rounded. 2. A
small dock, for boats or timber - , is also sometimes called a camber.
40
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
w
Can Buoy.
Can buoy (i-e-, cone-buoy). — A buoy in
the form of a cone — not of a can.
Canal.— An artificial ditch or channel filled
with -water for purposes of inland navigation.
It usually has a pathway on one or both sides,
called the tow path. Canals may be said to
intersect the whole surface of England.
Canoe.— The native American name for a
lx>at made out of a single trunk of a tree ; but
as we understand the term in England it means
any boat propelled by paddles, of which there are various sorts.
Canoe riy. — Sailing canoes are generally rigged with main,
mizzen, and foresail ; and their
sails are often battened — that is,
have battens, or splines, sewn in
across them, both to keep them
flat and to help in reefing them.
Many fantastic devices may be
indulged in with canoes, and
some have a complete system
of tiny blocks on their main and
mizzen sails, so arranged that
by pulling on a thin lanyard led
aft to the helmsman a reef may
}>e taken in without his moving
from his place in the well.
Cant. — To turn or lean over or round ; the term is somewhat
vaguely applied. A piece of wood used for the support of some
part of a construction is also called a cant.
" Cant is a term used to express the position of any piece of timber
that does not stand square, and then it is said to be on the cant."
CantUng. — The act of turning plank or timber to see theopposite side.
Cant-pieces. — Pieces of timber inserted and annexed to the angles of
fishes and side-trees, so as to supply any part that may prove sappy
or rotten.
Cant timbers. — "Those timbers which are situated at the two ends
of a ship. They derive their name from being canted or raised
obliquely from the keel, in contradistinction to those whose planes
are perpendicular to it. " (Falconer's Dictionary. )
Cant to. — To tvirn with the tide, as a vessel at anchor swings
when the tide changes.
Canvas. — The material of which the sails of a ship are made.
But the word has another meaning in its general application to all
or any of the sails set ; as to say, for instance, that a boat spreads
"all her canvas, "or that she sails under "racing canvas, " press
canvas, shortened canvas, etc.
Cap. — Generally speaking, a ring at the end of a spar.
Upper and lower cap. — The fittings to the head of a mast,
Canoe Big with Battened Sails.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 41
through -which an upper or top mast travels. The upper ring is
called the cap ; the lower, the yoke or lower cap. (See Mast. )
To cap a rope. — To cover the end of it with tarred canvas and
tvhip it with yarn or twine.
Capful of wind. — A slight breeze.
Cape. — The extreme point of a promontory. When high and ter-
minating at an acute angle, it is called a point. When low and
of small projection it becomes a ness, or in Scotland a mull. Thus
we have Morte Point, Orford Ness, Mull of Galloway. The word
Naze may also be regarded as ness.
Cappanus. — " The worm which adheres to and gnaws the bottom
of a ship. " (Falconer.)
Capsize (of a boat). — To turn it completely over in the water, as
it might be if caught on the head of a breaker, or in smooth water,
if those in it insist in sitting all on one side.
To capsize a rope — to turn it over. Coils are capsized after being
made so that the rope shall run out from
the top of the coil.
Capstan. — A "wheel and axle,"
usually revolving in a horizontal
position, that is, the axle being
placed upright, and worked by long
levers inserted into the head. Its
use is to obtain great power in haul-
ing, and thus it may be found in a
ship for hauling in a cable, etc., or on
a quay or dock ; and in these days it Capstan.
is often worked by steam.
Carboy. — A large glass bottle protected by basket work. They
usually contain acids, and may often be seen on canal harges.
Cardinal points (of the compass). — The four main points, North,
South, East, and West. (See Compass.)
Careen. — To heel or make to lie over on one side. The opera-
tion of heaving the ship down to one side, by the application of
a strong purchase to her masts, so that she may be breamed. But
copper sheathing has superseded the necessity for this. A vessel is
also said to careen when she inclines under press of canvas, at sea.
Carlings. or carlines (in ship-building). — Short beams
running fore and aft between the great transverse beams, which
they bind securely together. They also aid in supporting the deck.
(See diagrams under Frame.)
Carrick bend. — A peculiar form of knot.
Carronade. — A peculiar, short piece of ordnance of early days, so
called from Carron, the town in Scotland in which it Mas first made.
Carry away. — To break or lose any part of the rigging of a
vessel, as a spar which may be snapped or a sail blown out. Thus
it may be said of a yacht that she " carried away her topmast " —
meaning that it broke.
42 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Carry on. — To spread the utmost extent of canvas possible, as
a yacht may do in racing. But the term is usually understood to
mean that she is crowding it on at a risk.
Carvel. —A method of boat building in which the strakes are
flush one with another and present a smooth surface. (See Build.)
Case. — The outer layer of planking on a boat. This name, however,
only exists where there is a double layer, as in diagonally built craft.
The inner layer is then called the case, and that outside it the skin.
Cast. — Casting off a boat's head is to pay it off when she has
come on the proper tack.
To cast anchor. — To let go anchor. (See ANCHOR.)
Cast aivay. — Lost.
Castor and Pollux. — " The name given to an electric meteor
which sometimes appears at sea, attached to the extremities of the
masts of ships under the form of balls of fire. When one bight only
is seen, it is called Helena. The meteor is generally supposed to
indicate the cessation of a storm or a future calm ; but Helena, or
one ball only, to portend bad weather. " (Brande and Cox.)
Cat. — A name at one time given to a ship of peculiar build, and
used, commonly, in the coal trade. Falconer describes its form a^
founded upon the Norwegian model, having a narrow stern, pro-
jecting quarters, and deep waist. " These vessels," he says, "are
generally built remarkably strong, and cany from four to six
hundred tons ; or, in the language of their own mariners, from
twenty to thirty keels of coal." Vessels answering tolerably well
to such a description may still be seen in the North Sea.
The cat, on shipboard, is that part which has to do with the
anchor and weiglung it. Thus we have the cathead, a timber
projecting from the bow, to which the anchor is secured.
Cat block, a block which is attached to the anchor when it reaches
the cat-heads.
Cat hook, the hook by which the cat block is attached.
Cat fall, the rope, passing through the cat block, by which tlie
anchor is hauled inwards, and all of these constitute the cat tackle.
Cat holes, in the stern of a ship, are holes through which a cable
passes when it may be necessary to heave the ship astern.
Cat harpings, in the rigging of a ship, are ropes used to draw
in the shrouds of masts or bowsprits that they may not interfere
with the yards, etc.
Cat rig, with sailing boats, etc., is a rig of one sail, the
peculiarity of which consists in the manner in which the sail is
hoisted. The mast is stepped very far forward, and a yard con-
siderably longer than the mast runs along it, carrying a sail which
is supposed to represent both the main and top-sail of other rigs. It
is claimed for the cat-rig that it possesses great advantages in reef-
ing. An improvement on it, consisting chiefly in the introduction
of a reefing boom, was brought in by a Mr. Forbes, of America, some
years ago ; the description of this improved rig is quoted in Mr.
Davies' " Boat Sailing for Amateurs."
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
43
Cat's para. — 1. A name sometimes given to a light wind which
sweeps gently over the surface of the sea in a calm, and then
dies away. It is seen coming from a distance, and often in a
triangular form. 2. Of a rope. — A peculiar turn given to a rope
in order to hook a tackle to it is also called a cat's paw.
Catamaran. — A species of sailing raft used in the Indies. Its
motions are controlled by two drop-hoards let down, one from the
fore part, the other astern, through the raft, and by means of these
it may not only be steered to a nicety, hut made to sail on the wind,
tack and turn, just in the same manner as a hoat. This raft is des-
cribed in a most interesting manner by Captain Basil Hall in the
" Lieutenant and Commander."
Catch, (in rowing). — The grip (the more proper term) which an
oar gets of the water at the commencement of a stroke. It should
be firm and continuous, taken quickly, but without excitement ;
and there is no doubt that thus performed it produces great speed.
Catching a crab. — The art is described under the word Crab.
Caulking. — The operation performed upon wooden vessels to pre-
vent leakage, and assist in fixing the whole frame of the hull. It
consists of stuffing the seams (the spaces between the planks) with
oakum, and then payiiig them with hot pitch.
Cavil. — (See Cleat.)
Centre-board, centre-keel «
drop - keel. — A heavy, movable
plate of iron, lead, or timber let
down below the keel of a sailing
boat, al>oiit midships. It serves a
two-fold purpose, acting at once as
a lee-board — enabling the boat to
carry more sail than she otherwise
could — and as a lifting keel which,
in case of her running aground, can
be raised immediately, thereby re-
ducing the draught of the boat and
enabling her to float again. In run-
ning before the wind a centre-board
is raised, so that as small a resist-
ance as possible may l>e presented
to the water ; in sailing close hauled
it is let down to its fullest : and
according to the spread of canvas
carried and the direction of the
wind, its depth between these ex-
tremes may be varied.
But the accumulation of all the weight and depth of a keel into
one place may be carried to excess ; and should the movable keel be
made heavier than a light hull can well bear, its tendency is to
render the boat too stiff, and thereby to destroy its buoyancy. The
SECTION
44 A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
best material of which the plate can be made under these circum-
stances would seem to be wood ; and to render it heavy it may be
weighted at the bottom. There are various forms of centre-board.
The most simple is a plain plate, dropped evenly down ; but being
very apt to jam it is not much used. It is, however, in many
respects, the best. But the favourite arrangement is the board
which swings on a pivot, and of this there are many patterns, of
which some, almost semi-circular in shape, are called cheeseeutters.
In another form one board works inside another, opening like a fan,
so that the depth of keel can be better calculated. This, though
apparently good in principle, is not much used except for canoes.
The exact position of a centre-board is of great moment ; it depends
upon the shape of the boat, the use to which she is to be put, and
the sail area. For sea boats a great depth of centre-keel is not
found to answer, while on smooth waters it may be considerable.
In all measurements for racing, the board is let down to its fullest
extent. For boats intended to be beached, the centre-board is
peculiarly Avell suited ; but it is not on this account to be concluded
that the invention has its origin in beached boats, since, long
before it ever came into general use, it was habitually employed
in boats which were never hauled up on land. In one form or
another, indeed, whether as lee-board or centre-board, it maybe said
to date from time immemorial.
Centre of buoyancy. — The centre of gravity of the water
displaced by any vessel.
Chafe. — To rub or wear away by rubbing.
Chaffer. — Spoken of a head sail, and more particularly of a jib,
when it keeps shivering.
Chain. — Chain is becoming more used in shipping every
year, and is now, therefore, made in a variety of shapes and
sizes. The principle upon which the manufacture is founded
may be quoted, thus : — " Much depends upon the shape of links
in order to obtain the greatest resistance of a chain ; and as long
as the strain is kept in the direction of the axis, the strongest
form will be obtained when the sides of the chain are parallel to the
line of strain. But as this is often in a direction perpendicular to
the axis, it is essential to introduce a stay which should maintain
the sides invariably in their position, and to resist any unequal com-
pression of the metal in the sides. " The stay here spoken of is often
seen in cables, and constitutes that which is known as the " stud
link " ; it is wrought or cast in various patterns.
The most common chains in use (see fig.) are: round or end
link ; close-link ; open-link ; stud-link ; curb. Round-linked chains
are not used for nautical purposes, but a circular link usually occurs
in cables, at the end of every chain length, and is therefore called
an end-ring. Open-linlc is the pattern most frequently employed
for all general purposes, both at sea and ashore, being the most
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
45
CLOSE
LINK
SHACKLS
generally serviceable and the least expensive : cables
of small craft are of this pattern. Stud-link is
found in the cables of large vessels, for reasons
above quoted. Curb chain is somewhat rare, being
expensive ; it is powerful, and when twisted
becomes quite rigid.
A chain length is 12£ fathoms. A cable length
is the tenth of a nautical mile ; approximately 100
fathoms. The thickness of a chain is measured
by the thickness of the bar of which it is made.
" A chain of which the section is one inch in
diameter breaks with 16 tons ; such a chain is
equivalent to a lOin. hempen cable nearly. And
the dimensions of the chain cable corresponding
to any hemp cable are therefore easily found by
nearly dividing the circumference of the hemp
cable by 10." The formula for the safe load
of a chain in tons has been thus given :
D=vW or W = 5_\
Where W=the safe load, and D=the diameter
expressed in £ths of an inch, the weight of
chain in lbs. per fathom = *85D 2 . " In order that
the ship may be enabled to let slip her cable in
case of necessity, chain cables are furnished with
bolts at distances from each other of a fathom or
two, which can be readily withdrawn. "
Chain-locker. — The hold in the fore part of a
boat into which the anchor chain descends.
Chains or channel plates. — Iron bars or plates on
a vessel's sides, running upwards, and receiving the deadeyes by
which the shrouds are held down. In large vessels the channel
plates are kept down by strong chains, hence the name. Where
the vessel has channels the chains are kept away from the bulwarks
by them, but in smaller craft the channels are dispensed with and
the plates simply run up the sides somewhat higher than the
gunwales. In such craft these plates are frequently called the
channels. {See CHANNELS.)
Chain bolts. — " Those bolts which are driven through the upper
end of the preventer plates and the toe link of the chains." This
has reference to large vessels of the old type, when the chain (or
channel) plates were held down by iron chains from beneath.
Chamfer. — To take the edge off or bevel a plank, which is then
said to have chamfered edges.
Changing rigging end for end. — This consists in turning
any such ropes as may be chafing in one place, end for end, so as to
bring all parts into equal wear. Rigging changed thus will
naturally last longer than when allowed to wear bare without
46
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEBMS.
turning ; but the ropes in small boats are so sbort that the practice
is not much followed.
Channels {chain wales — i.e., the ivales upon which certain ehaitis
are fixed). — In ships these are wooden platforms projecting from the
hull on each side of each mast ; their office is to keep the chains
and channel plates away from the sides. These channel plates or
chain plates are flat bars of iron running in an upward direction
from beneath the channels, and taking the deadeyes by which the
CHANNELS for YACHTS
1/ i. „ vV
SHIPS CHANNELS "■■
OLD STYLE
^/FOR SMALL IO&T1
/'NiTIAl cr LANYAAI5.
CHANNELS FOR BOATS
■ WITHOUT _.IAT)IY££
Channels.
shrouds of the masts are held down. In smaller craft and in many
modern vessels the channels proper disappear, the plates remaining in
their place; while in sailing boats even these plates are dispensed with,
and both channels and plates may become little more than eye-bolts.
The name channels is still retained, however, so that as far as
amateur sailing is concerned, channels may almost be described as
those points on the sides of a boat to ivhich the bases of the shrouds are
attached. When the channels project to any great extent, as is
sometimes the case in very narrow boats, they may be called out-
rigged channels. Many barges are without channel plates, because
the lee-boards come in the way of them.
Chappelling. — Chappelling a ship is "the act of turning her round
in a light breeze of wind when she is close-hauled, so that she will
lie the same way she did before. This is commonly occasioned by the
negligence of the steersman, or by a sudden change of the wind. "
(Falconer.)
Charring. — Binning the external surface of wood. It is a
valuable process for the preservation of piles or any timbers which
may be subjected to alternate exposure to the air and submersion in
water. The water line of all piles is, as is well known, the part most
liable to decay ; charring is found to some extent to delay this decay.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 47
Chart. — Roughly speaking, a map of the sea hottom and coast
projections, for the use of navigators. Any person intending to
cruise round the coast should be provided with charts, and should
first learn to read them. Fournier ascribes the invention of sea-
charts to Henry, son of John, King of Portugal.
Charter-party. — A contract in mercantile law between the
owner of a ship and one who lures part or the whole of it under
specified conditions.
Chasse-marees. — The coasting and fishing vessels of the
French shores of the Channel, often seen in our own ports. They are
bluff bowed and lugger rigged, with one, two, or three masts, often
carrying topsails.
Cheat the devil. — Using soft expletives where strong ones
would most naturally occur.
Check. — Obviously to stop or impede motion, as to check the
anchor's cable from veering out. But the word is more frequently
used in the opposite sense, as when applied to a rope or the sheet of
a sail, it will mean to ease it off or let it go a little.
Cheeks. — Generally speaking, brackets or stoppering pieces on
a spar or elsewhere. Thus the knee pieces fastened to a ship's stem
are sometimes called cheeks. On a mast the cheeks are brackets a
short distance below the mast-head, and upon these are placed the
trestle, trees, which support the cross-trees. (See Mast.) The cheeks
of a block are the two sides of its shell. (See Block.)
Cheese-cutter. — A form of centre-board. (See Centre-Board.)
Chess-trees (in a ship). — " Two small pieces of timber on each
side of it, a little before the loof, having a hole iu them, through
which the main tack runs, and to which it is haled down." (Bailey's
Dictionary. ) Pieces of wood bolted, perpendicularly, one on each
side of the deck of a ship and bored with holes on the upper part.
They are employed to hold the tack of a square mainsail to wind-
ward, and for this purpose are placed as far before the mast as the
length of the main beam, the tack line of the sail passing through
the holes.
Chest-rope- — See Guest-rope.
Chimes. — The intersection of the lines forming the sides and the
bottom of a flat-bottomed boat.
Chinckle. — A small bend or bight in a line.
Chine. — 1. "That part of the waterway which is left above the
deck, that the lower seam of spirlcetting may more conveniently be
caulked " (Falconer), — the spirketting being the strakes on the ends
of the beams. 2. The back of a cliff ; as the Black Gang Chine
(Isle of Wight).
To chine out. — To hollow out slightly.
Chips. — The name by which a ship's carpenter is often spoken of,
and hence the popular phrase " a chip of the old block."
48 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Chock. — 1. Any nondescript blocks of wood, as wedges used to
prevent anything from shifting when a vessel rolls, or as rudder
chocks which fix a rudder in case of emergency , ,
etc. 2. The pieces used in filling the timbers of
a vessel to its planks, i.e., filling up the shape
where necessaiy so that the curves of the
planking shall be preserved. (See diagram
under Frame.)
Chock-a-block — One block hauled close up
to another, so that the power they give is
destroyed until they are drawn asunder or
overhauled.
Chow chow. — A popular term for eat-
ables ; from the Chinese.
Chuck. — Sometimes called a fairlead or
lead/air. A guide for a rope or chain, over
the gunwale of a boat. It is most usually
of metal : in yachts sometimes of brass. Chock-a-Block.
Fairleads are of different forms; but any
ring or eye-bolt which leads a rope is a fairlead (ichich see).
Cirrus. — The cloud called " mare's-tails. " Seen towards evening
it often portends wind to follow, especially if giving the appearance
of having been torn.
Clamp. — On a boom, the cleat, at the after end, through which
the reef-pendants are passed, when reefing the' sail. (See under
Boom.)
To clamp, in carpentering or shipbuilding, is to fix two pieces
of wood together by a mortise or a groove and tongue, so that the
fibres of each crossing each other may prevent warping.
Clap OH. — To put on — as to clap a purchase on to a tackle. Also
spoken of men, as to clap several hands on to a purchase.
Clap ier. — A fitting between the jaws of a gaff to prevent that
from jamming as it descends the mast. Sometimes called a tumbler.
Clasp hook. — A hook which clasps a ring, or stay, or rope. It
is included in the general term hank.
Class.— The class of a boat is the group to which she belongs, as
schooner, yawl, etc. In yacht racing it is the group in which she is
placed after measurement. A vessel is said to outclass others when
she is very much superior to those in her own class.
Clawing off. — This generally presupposes a vessel to be close into
or being driven on to a lee shore, and the act of getting away by
sailing her as close to the wind as she can be made to go while still
keeping good way on is called clawing off.
Clean. — The sharp part of a ship's hull, under water, both for-
ward and aft.
Clearing. — The passing of a vessel through the Customs after ?'
has visited a foreign port. The Board of Trade directs that
A DICTIONABY OP SEA TEBMS.
49
STOP CLEAT
vessel, after visiting a foreign port, shall report herself to the officers
of the Customs, at the first British port she enters. As a signal that
she has been abroad she must fly the ensign from sunrise to sunset,
and expose a light under her bowsprit by night, until she has been
cleared.
Clearing hawse. — (See under HAWSE.)
Cleat, kevel, or cavil. — A species of
hook, usually of two arms, fastened to
the deck or any other suitable and con-
venient part of a boat, around which
sheets, halyards, springs, etc., may be
wound without being knotted. Cleats are
of various forms, as will be seen by the
figure. They are required to sustain great
strains and sudden jerks, and must, there-
fore, be securely fixed. Where several
are placed close together they are, for
additional security, fixed to a strengthening
plate, or plank, which is called a rail. A
thumb-cleat or spur is a small wedge let
into a spar to prevent a rope from slipping ;
it is also found in various parts of the
vessel. (See fig., also Thumb cleat.)
Clench, or clinch. — 1. To jam down.
With ropes. — To jam down by a half
hitch.
2. Clench building. — Another term for
clincher building. (See BUILD.)
Clew. — The clew is the lower corner of a
sail, and unless otherwise described is the after lower corner; but
the tack, or forward corresponding corner, is sometimes called the
weather clew. This will apply equally to square or fore-and-aft
sails ; but in square sails each lower cor ner is a clew, and each
becomes the tack (or weather clew) alternately, as the ship comes
about. This, however, cannot be the case in fore-and-aft rig, since
the forward part of such sails always remains in situ; and there-
fore in yachts and such like craft the clew will always be the after
lower corner of the sail, and though the tack may often be spoken
of as the " weather clew " it still always remains the tack, i.e., the
forward lower corner.
To clew up is to gather up a sail by its clew-bines.
Clew garnets, clew lines. — On square sails will be bines, or ropes,
attached to the clews, i.e., to the lower corners ; from thence tney
run to a block fastened to the middle of the yard. On the lower
sails, or "courses," as these are termed, these same lines are called
'he clew garnets, the name lines being only appropriated to the clew
'°ts of the topsails. The use of these clew lines, or garnets, is to
up the clews of the sails to the middle of the yards so that
E
Various Cleats.
50
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
they may be furled. Clew lines in fore-and-aft rigged vessels,
sometimes called tripping lines, answer much the same purpose, but
they will naturally be differently disposed. The clew line of a gaff
topsail, for instance, is attached to the clew (i.e., the after lower
corner), passes across to the forward end of the topsail yard, and
thence down on deck : by hauling upon it the topsail is then clewed
up to its yard. (See fig. under TOPSAIL. )
A great clew. — When square sails gore outwards towards the clew,
that is, are considerably wider at the foot than the head, they are
said to have a great clew. And when yards are very long so that the
sails are more than usually wide, they are described as spreading a
great clew.
Clew to earing. — An expression which describes the condition of
a square sail when the foot has been drawn up to the head, i.e., the
clew to the earing.
Click. — A small stopper, or pawl, dropping into the teeth of th©
rack-wheel of a windlass to prevent the wheel from running backwards.
Clincher, clench, or lapstrake. — A method of building a
boat in which the strakes overlap. (See BUILD.)
To clinch. — To jam down — the same as to clench.
Clip. — That part of a gaff or boom which is fashioned into homs,
or jaws, so as to partly encircle a mast. (See under GAFF.)
Clip-hooks or sail-hanks (some-
times called sail-hooks). — A com-
bination of two hooks jointed to-
gether to face each other, so as
to clip a rope on each side. To
keep them from shaking apart
they are usually moused at the
neck. (See Mouse.)
Sheet clips. — Small metal im-
plements fixed to the deck in cer-
tain sailing boats or small yachts
(more especially those intended
for single-handed sailing) to take
the place of sheet cleats. A rope
being passed into one of these is
firmly gripped until, being lifted,
it is immediately released.
Close-hanled.— The manner
in which a vessel's sails are dis-
posed when she is sailing as close
to the wind (i.e., as nearly against the wind) as she can go ; e.g., in
fore-and-aft rig, the sheets hauled close, and in square rig the yard*
braced up, the sheets well home, and the bowlines hauled taut. So,
therefore, to be sailing with taut bowline is to be close-hauled. When
thus close-hauled to the wind a boat is said to be sailing on the wind, by
the wind, or full and by the wind, and if, when close-hauled, she carries-
HOUSED
Various Clips 4
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
51
Close-hauled.
a lee-helm she is said to be hauling
on the wind. (See under Lee-helm. )
Close-lined.— {See Line.)
Close - reefed. — When all the
reefs are taken in so that the area
of the sails may be as small as pos-
sible. (See fig. ; also under Reef. )
Close-winded. — A boatis some-
times said to be close- winded when
she can sail very close to the wind.
Cloth (of a sail). — One of the
strips of canvas which go to com-
pose a sail is so called, (See Sail.)
Clothe. — To put on the sails and
furniture to a vessel ; that is her
masts, rigging, and all accessories.
In other words, to fit her out.
Clubbing. — Drifting with the
tide with an anchor down ;
a vessel clubbing will there-
fore be taken stern first.
This method of dropping
down on a tide is only em-
ployed when the tide runs
very strong, and it is neces-
sary to keep the boat under
command of the rudder. It
may be seen daily at Yar-
mouth; the sailing wher-
ries coming in from the
rivers on an ebb tide drop
their anchors short, and by
this means club down to
their quays. Without some £
such method of opposing ~~~-~^2
the strength of the current,
they would be swept past
their landing places.
Club-liaxiling. — " In navigation, a critical mode of tacking,
resorted to only in perilous situations, when a ship has no other
escape from running ashore. It consists in letting go the lee-anchor
as soon as the wind is out of the sails, thereby bringing the ship's
head to wind. She will then pay off, when the cable is cut and the
sails are trimmed. By this process the tack is accomplished in a far
shorter distance than it could otherwise be." (Brande and Cox.)
In the last volume of James' Naval History (ed. 1837) will be
found an account of the club-hauling of H.M.S. Magnificent off the
coast of France between the reef of Chasseron and the Isle de lie,
E 2
Close-reefed.
52 A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEEMS.
during a south-westerly gale. Captain Marryat, in his "Peter
Simple," mentions club-hauling, and Peter in his examination says
that one of his former captains performed "the hauling business."
The operation, with a sailing yacht, would consist of paying an
anchor out astern and then hauling on it by a spring, so as to cast off
the boat's head.
Clyde lug.— [See Lug.)
Coach. — In rowing, one who teaches a crew, or prepares them
for a race.
Coak, or bush.. — The central piece of the sheave of a block. It is
usually of gun metal and of curious form — this being to prevent its
turning in the sheave. The section is in the form of an equilateral
triangle, upon each of the sides of which a semicircle is described ;
and in the centre it is bored with
a hole through which the pin runs.
Coaming. — A raised edge or
planking round a hatchway or
the well of a yacht. Its use is
to prevent any water which may
wash over the deck from getting
down below, and to effect this
properly it should not (except in
small boats) form one continuous
wall round all hatchways, but should leave the spaces between
them open, so that water shipped may run off to leeward instead of
being allowed to come aft.
Coastguard.—" A semi-naval organisation of seamen, mostly
living along the shores of the United Kingdom, intended originally
for the prevention of smuggling ; but since the removal of prohibi-
tive import duties, and the consequent decrease of smuggling, con-
verted into a force for the defence of the coasts." The men are old
men-of-war's men of good character, liable to service at all times.
The service is under a controller-general having rank as a commodore.
Coat. — A coat of tar or paint is one application of either.
Cobbing. — " A punishment sometimes inflicted at sea. It is per-
formed by striking the offender a certain number of blows on the
breech with a flat piece of Avood called the cobbing-board."
(Falconer.)
Coble.— An open boat varying in form according to locality.
The coble of the Northumbrian coast is a boat of somewhat
remarkable appearance, and equally remarkable in its suitability to
the work demanded of it ; it sails well, rows well and beaches well,
and is the safest boat one could well find. The following is the de-
scription of it as given by Mr. Davies in his " Boat Sailing for
Amateurs :" " The bows are very sharp, and very high, with a
great sheer to throw off the sea, and depth to give lateral resist-
ance. The sharp bows rapidly fall away, until all the after portion
of the boat is quite flat and shallow. The keel, which commences
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
53
Northumbrian Coble.
with the bow, ends amidships, and from there to the stern are two
keels, or draughts, one each side of the flat bottom. The stem is
very raking, and the rudder projects a considerable distance below
it, as shown in the figure. Thus the entire lateral resistance of the
boat is given by the deep bow
and the deep rudder. These
boats are very sensitive to any
touch of the helm ; they will
go wonderfully close to the
wind, and at a perfectly mar-
vellous speed ; their sharp,
flaring bows throw off any
reasonable sea, and altogether
they are admirably suited for %.
the work which they have to
undergo. Then, when they
have to be beached, their
bows are turned to the sea, the rudder is unshipped, and the boat
backed ashore, where she sits high and dry, as far as her stern is
concerned. " These boats are usually rigged with a standing or
dipping lug. Cobles are also employed on the rivers and lakes of
Wales and the borders.
Coboose.— " A sort of box or house to cover the chimney of some
merchant ships. It somewhat resembles a sentry-box, and generally
stands against the barricade on the fore part of the quarter deck.
It is the place where victuals are cooked on board merchant ships. "
(Falconer.) So, in the modern sense, a coboose, or caboose, is a
sort of cook-house on the deck of a ship.
Cock- — In ancient days the general name for a yawl.
Cock-a-bill or a'cock-bill. — An expression signifying that an anchor
hangs over a vessel's sides with its flukes extended. {See ANCHOR.)
Cock-boat. — An old name for a small boat only used on rivers or
smooth waters.
Cock-pit. — 1. In old battle ships, the cockpit was the after portion
of the lowest deck, and in frigates was assigned to the use of the
midshipmen. 2. In yachts it is the lower part of the well. 3. In
sailing boats, the open space in the deck. In the two latter cases,
however, the word well is more frequently used.
Cockle shell. — A term used to describe a small or very bight boat,
which is supposed to be no safer on the waters than a cockle shell.
Code signals. — A collection of signs or symbols reduced to an
orderly arrangement and made use of by vessels at sea or from
stations ashore. There is now an international nautical code made
general use of by three methods, — vjz. , flags, long distance signals,
and the semaphore ; and besides this code there are various others
less commonly employed, and others, again, used by individuals or
by shipping companies, called private codes. For a description of
the signals employed in the International Code see under SIGNALS.
54 A DICTIONABY OP SEA TEBMS.
Coil. — 1. (In commerce.) — A coil of rope is a certain quantity (113
fathoms). 2. (On shipboard.) — A coil is a heap of rope coiled up.
3. To coil rope is to lay it, or make it up, in a series of coils or
rings ; and this, with ordinary rope, is done in the direction of the
hands of the clock. The hollow space in the middle is called the tier.
One circle is a. fake.
Flemish coil. — To coil a rope in fanciful patterns.
Collapsable boat. — A boat which for convenience of taking it
on board a small vessel is capable of being folded up into a small
space. Several forms of these boats have been invented from time
to time, but none have come into general use. The Berthon is,
perhaps, most used. Mr. Davies, in his " Boat Sailing for
Amateurs, " describes one or two of these.
Collar Knot.— (See Knots. )
Collier. — A vessel employed in the coal trade.
Collision. — When two vessels collide they are said to be in
collision; and the same term is employed in the past sense, as " they
were in collision." The Board of Trade issue instructions for the
Prevention of Collisions at Sea ; and these constitute that which is
popularly called the Rule of the Road (which see).
Comb, or comb-cleat. — A small wooden board through which
ropes are passed to be led fair. (See Cleat.)
Come. — A word used at sea under various circumstances, as
" The anchor comes horned i.e., it drags. A ship is said to come to
when she. luffs right up into the wind or stops in a certain spot.
So also, when she comes round in tacking, she is said to have come
about. And the order in sailing to come no nearer will mean that
she is not to be brought too close to the wind, to impress which
meaning upon the mind of the beginner the French equivalent,
" Pas au vent," is, perhaps, more explicit. To come up the fall
(rope) of a tackle, is to slacken the rope. To come up the capstan is
to let it go a contraiy way to that in hauling up, and is, therefore,
to slacken it. To come up with another vessel, or some landmark,
is to overtake or pass it.
Commander. — In the Koyal Navy an officer holding a position
between the captain and the lieutenant.
Commodore. — The senior captain of a squadron when there is
no admiral present. The elected head of a yachting club is usually
called, by compliment, the commodore of that club.
Common bend.— (See Knot.)
Companion. — Properly the covering over a ladder or staircase
in a ship ; but the ladder itself is popularly called the companion.
Compass. — An instrument which, by means of a magnetised
bar, indicates the magnetic meridian. The disc or face of the
mariner's compass consists of a circular card, sometimes trans-
parent, the circumference of which is divided into 32 parts, called
points. These points may be again divided into two, each division
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
55
being a half-point, and these again into quarter-points. Thus there
are 32 points in the compass, and between eacli are half and quarter
points. Each point is named and marked on the card with the
initial letters of its name, as N. for North, N. by E. for North
by East, N.N.E. for North North-East, N.E. for North-East,
and so on. The cardinal points are North, South, East, and
West : these cut the card into four quarters, and each quarter
is divided into 8 points, the whole 32 being as follow : —
North opposite to South
North by East „ „ South by West
North North-east „ „ South South-west
North-east by North „ „ South-west by South
North-east „ „ South-west
North-east by East „ „ South-west by West
East North-east „ „ West South-west
East by North „ „ West by South
East „ „ West
East by South „ „ West by North
East South-east „ „ West North-west
South-east by East „ „ North-west by West
South-east ' „ „ North-west
South-east by South ,, „ North-west by North
South South-east „ „ North North-west
South by East „ „ North bv West
South „ North
Repeating these points, with their opposite equivalents, in the
order above given, is called boxing the compass, and is required in
some examinations. Then, however, the half-points are often asked,
rendering the repetition somewhat more tedious. But the student
will be astonished to find how quickly he will master this task when
once taken in hand. The manner of pronouncing the names of the
points is as follows : —
Nor'east (or west) ... Sow-west (or east)
Nor' Nor '-east (or west) ... Sow Sow -west (or east)
Nor'-east b' east (or west)... Sow-west b' west (or east)
In boxing the compass with the half-points : —
North £ East is opposite South i West
North by East \ East „ „ South by West | West
West £ North „ „ East $ South
North-west £ North „ „ South-east £ South
and so on from North to East and thence to South.
Tt has been stated that the dial of the compass is a card upon
which the points are marked. The north point is always to
be distinguished at a glance by a large arrow head. This card
is fixed to an iron bar or needle laid exactly in the line mark-
ing north and south, one end of it having been previously magnet-
ized. It is then eitber balanced on a pin or floated in spirit in a
semi-globular basin ; this basin, by an arrangement of two rings,
56
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
called gimbals, set at right angles, and one working within the
other — being so contrived that whatever position the ship may
assume it always keeps the horizontal. But it does not revolve :
the card revolves, but the case, though always horizontal, retains the
same position with respect to the keel line of the vessel. Upon the
inside of the basin, and in a line with the keel (or, in other words,
directly in a line with the head and stern of the vessel), is made a
distinct line or mark, called the lubber's line (see diagram under
Lubber) : and it is by this mark that the vessel is steered. For if
the ship be moving due north the lubber's line will exactly meet the
arrow head on the dial of the compass. But if her head be turned
easterly, the lubber's line will travel round the dial until it meets
the letter E. So also, if she be turned south-east, the lubber's line
will reach the S.E., and finally, if she be steered due south, the
lubber's line will have moved half round the compass, stopping at
the S. or southern point on the disc. The lubber's line represents,
therefore, the ship's head ; and
at whatever point it stops on
the compass card, in that direc-
tion will the ship be moving.
It is necessary to state,
however, though without
entering into any discussion
on the theory of magnetic
attraction, that the needle
does not actually point due
north. Not only may it be
attracted by any mass of iron
brought close to it, but in
different latitudes its direc-
tion varies. In iron ships
there is always a counter at-
traction to be overcome, the
amount of which varies ac-
cording to their position (N.
and S. or E. and W.) when
building, and indeed in every
ship the compass has always to be tested and corrected before
starting on a voyage. This variation of a ship's compass from
the time magnetic meridian is called the deviation of the compass,
and the methods of dealing with this form almost a science in
itself. Those who would know more of the subject may be referred
to Lloyds' "Seaman's Almanac." The casein which a deck compass
is set, with its box and pedestal, constitute that which is known as
a binnacle. A binnacle does not affect the compass because the same
attraction is exerted all round, and, moreover, because it is sur-
rounded by bars of iron which counteract each other's influence ;
but small compasses, as used in boats or yachts, are very liable to
be deviated by any iron or steel which may be brought too near
Mariner's Compass.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 57
them, and they should be kept as free as possible from all such
influences.
It may be well, in conclusion, to remind the novice that
whenever a compass is placed on board a boat, its lubber's line,
or whatever may take the place of a lubber's line (such as the
handle of the compass), should be set exactly fore-and-aft, that
is in the same bine as the keel.
A small compass hanging or fixed to the ceiling of a cabin on ship-
board is called a tell-tale. By it the captain can see the course of
the ship without going on deck.
Composite. — A system of building large ships with an iron
framing and wood skin. It was brought in soon after the construc-
tion of ships with iron was begun, and admitted of great strength
l>eing attained, and the possibility of copper sheathing, which on an
iron hull is impossible. It was hoped by this means to obtain a
vessel with the strength of an iron ship and the freedom from foul-
ing of a wooden ship ; but experience has shown that the wasting
of the iron from the effects of galvanic action between the copper
and the iron fastenings renders the system almost impracticable.
Large yachts are still, however, built in this manner.
Coil, conning (sometimes pronounced " cun "). — To direct a
steersman. A person who directs the helmsman of a ship how to keep
her head is said to be conning the ship. Thus on men-of-war we find
a conning tower, which is a sort of elevated deck house, containing
the compass, and from which a good look-out may be obtained.
Conservators of the Thames. — " A body of modern crea-
tion representing the Imperial Government, the City of London,
and the commercial interests of the river, and exercising the general
powers of harbour and conservancy board over the lower river and
estuary, as well as those of conservancy on the upper river as far as
Cricklade." The office of the Thames Conservancy is on the Thames
Embankment, Blackfriars Bridge.
Copper. — This is the best material wherewith to preserve the
lx)ttom of a boat from the attacks of barnacles, etc., as well as from
the action of the water ; and a boat covered or " sheathed " witli it
is called copper bottomed. It is customary in the case of yachts to
wait, before doing this, until the vessel is a year or two old, as
copper is found to rot the skin of a new boat, besides which the
timber has a tendency for the first few months to swell or " grow,"
while the copper remains the same. The principal action of the
water being at the water line, some boats are coppered only round
that part, at a considerable saving of expense. Intending purchasers
of boats should remember this, and make careful examination befora
buying, for it is occasionally the practice of dishonest people to
describe a boat thus sheathed as copper bottomed. As a substi-
tute for copper, Muntz metal (which see) answers well, and there are
various paints sold which also profess to preserve ships' bottoms.
Nothing, however, is so useful for wooden vessels as copper.
58
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Welsh Coraclk
Coracle. — A small boat originally used in
fresh water fishing. Its origin dates hack
prohahly to pre-historic times. In Wales and
the West of England it is still used, heing
made of wicker, covered with leather, and
carried by the fishermen upon their hacks.
Corinthian. — This word has come to mean
amateur. The Corinthian Yacht Club was
originally founded as a down - river branch
of the London Rowing Club ; its object being
the same as that of other clubs, viz., the en-
couragement of yacht and boat sailing by
amateurs. Its headquarters are at Erith, but
is has also a very flourishing branch at Burn-
ham-on-Crouch and is known as the Royal
Corinthian Yacht Club.
Cork jacket. — A waistcoat or jacket
made of a number of corks or pieces of cork, completely encircling
the body, as a preservation against drowning. No boat should be
without some sort of life preserving belt. (See Life Belt. )
Corsair. — A name given in certain parts of Europe to a pirate,
or his vessel. Corsairs, for centuries the dread of the Mediterranean
coast, have existed there almost to the present day. They may, in
fact, be said to still exist, as the attack upon the racing yacht
Ailsa, on her homeward passage from the south of France in 1895,
may serve to show.
Corvette. — One of the smaller vessels of war : the name is a relic
of the days of wooden ships.
Counter. — An extension of a vessel's body beyond her stem-post,
or, in other words, that part of her which projects beyond the stern-
post. In many instances the counter is purely ornamental, having
no actual use, while some go so far as to say that it is materially
detrimental to buoyancy. In some vessels, however, it becomes
almost a necessity, as, for instance,
in cutters ; for without it there
would be no means of getting at
the reef pendant, while it is also
useful in a yawl for manipulating
the mizzen.
Counter-stay. — One or more small
timbers or stays projecting aft of
the stern-post of a vessel to take the
weight of the counter. They are, of
course, with in the counter and unseen.
CowntersunJc. — Bolt heads are often
countersunk in the same way as the head of an ordinary screw (see fig. )
so that they may not protrude beyond the surfaces they hold down.
The shackle pins of anchor cables are also countersunk. (See CABLE.)
couei tcssunk
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEEMS.
59
Courses.
Course- — The course of a vessel at sea has been thus described :
" The angle which the ship's track makes with all the meridians
between the place left and
the place arrived at." In
a more homely meaning it
is the direction in which
a ship travels ; thus her
course is N.E. when she
is moving in a north-
easterly direction.
The courses, in a square
rigged vessel, are those
square sails which hang
from the lower masts.
Thus in a full rigged
ship the main, fore, and
mizzen sails will be the
courses ; the bark is without the mizzen course; the barkentine has
but the fore course.
Cove. — A small creek, inlet, or bay.
Coxswain (pronounced "cox'un "). — The steersman of a boat.
In rowing language he is usually spoken of as the " cox." His
position is one of responsibility, for during his office he has command
of the boat ; and that his orders should be implicitly obeyed stands
to reason, for the backs of all the rowers are turned in the direction
in which they are moving. It is not safe, therefore, except on
open and uncrowded waters, to put the tiller or rudder lines into
the hands of any but an experienced person, and once there it is
equally unsafe and foolish for any among the crew to interfere with
him. The neglect of these simple though essential precautions has
led to the unnecessary loss of more than one life.
Crab. — 1. A small capstan. It consists of ten of little more than a
pillar with two or three small whelps (upright pieces) about it to pre-
vent the rope from slipping. The small windlasses by which bathing
machines are drawn vip on a beach are
sometimes called crabs. Falconer de-
scribes a crab as a sort of capstan, worked
by bars like a large capstan, but with the
bars passing through the head instead
of being merely inserted as with the
larger machines. 2. Another engine
called a crab is a lever of wood, having
3laws at the working end, and used in
the launching of vessels.
Crab-boat. — 1. A boat used in crab
fishing. 2. An open sailing boat at
one time common on the coast of Nor-
folk — hence called the Crorner crab-boat. Cromer Crab- boat.
— /
60 A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
A description of it is given by Mr. Christopher Davies in his " Boat
Sailing for Amateurs."
To catch a crab. — An acci-
dent which may occur in row-
ing. It consists in failing to
catch the water with the oar,
and, by the violence of the
effort, falling backwards.
The " art " is naturally more
practised by beginners, but is
not confined to them, for the
catching of a crab has lost Catching a Crab.
many a trained crew a race.
Cradle- — I. Blocks or beams of wood placed so that a boat may
stand on shore. 2. A frame used in the launching of a vessel for
sending her gently down into the water.
Craft. — A general term applied by sea-faring men to any collec-
tion of small decked vessels. Though the term is, properly speaking,
one of multitude, it is often used in the singular number. Thus
" river craft " means those vessels, generally, which navigate a river ;
while the phrase " a nice little craft " is spoken in admiration of a
single boat.
Crank, or cranky. — A vessel is said to be crank when she fails
in the quality called stiffness {which sec), or, in other words, when
she careens over to a large extent in a light breeze, and, therefore,
cannot carry much sail ; or when , from want of ballast, she is in
danger of overturning.
Cranse-iron. — A cap or ring at the end of a bowsprit, usually
made with several eyes round it. The ring prevents the spar from
splitting and the eyes take the blocks through which pass the bob-stay
and topmast-forestay and bowsprit-shrouds. {See under BOWSPRIT. )
Crawl. — A place in which to confine fish, etc. (French, bordigue.)
Creasote, or kreasote. — A heavy oil, apparently closely
related to carbolic acid ; it possesses peculiar antiseptic and pre-
servative qualities, and is made use of in various ways. Wood
steeped in it is preserved both by the exclusion of air and by the
destruction of organic impurities. It is a poison when undiluted,
but when largely diluted it is occasionally used in medicine.
Creek. — An inlet on the coast or in a river up which the tide
runs. In some cases, estuaries or small rivers, when resorted to
as havens by small craft, are called creeks.
Creel.— {See Kreel.)
Creeper. — A term sometimes given to a sort of grapnel {ivhich see).
Crew. — The crew of a vessel consists of all those who are on
board for the purpose of navigating her. {See also All-told.)
Crimp. — One of those agents who, before the establishment of
Sailors' Homes, used to take seamen in, board them, find them
ships, and finally rob them of their all. There are some still left.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
61
AND
PENDANT
Cringles.
Cringles. — Loops or eyes, formed in the
bolt ropes of sails. Through them ropes are
passed so as to gather up the margins of the
sail ; and to them pendants are hung for tying
down the sail in reefing. In fore-and-aft
rigged craft they are found in the lower
portion of the leech of a main or mizzen
sail for passing short lanyards in reefing,
and are then called reef cringles. If the
ropes are left permanently in these cringles,
as is sometimes the case, they are called reef
pendants; while ropes hanging from the head
of a sail (more particularly of a square sail)
are called earings. Iron cringles are some-
times called hanks.
Cromer crab boat. — (See under Crab.)
Cross-jack yard (pronounced " crojek "
or "crotched"). — In full rigged ships, the
lowest yard on the mizzen mast. (See under
Jack and Yard.)
Cross-jack sail. — The sail bent (attached)
to the cross-jack ; being of little service it
is not much used.
Cross -pawls (in shipbuilding). — Pieces
of timber which keep the sides of avessel together whilst in her frames.
Cross-piece. — A piece of wood or iron crossing another. Thus
the piece which crosses the bitts of a bowsprit is called the cross-
piece or crossbitt. (See Bowsprit.)
Cross-trees. — The arms extending, near the head of a mast, at
right angles to the length of the vessel, and to the extremities of
which the topmast-shrouds are stretched for the purpose of giving
support to the topmast. Cross-trees may be of iron or wood, and in
one piece or two. Many topsail-barges have
them folding upwards, for convenience in lower-
ing the mast for up-river work. They are then
sometimes called jack cross-trees. For the
manner of fixing cross-trees to the mast see
under Mast and Trestle Trees.
Crotches (in shipbuilding). — 1. Timbers
placed upon the keel in the forward and after
parts of a vessel, where her form grows narrower.
2. Supports for a boom. (See CRUTCH.)
Crow. — An iron lever.
Crowfoot. — A radiation of many small ropes
from one, used in securing awnings, etc. (see fig.).
Crowd. — To set an extraordinary force of sail is said to be
crowding on sail.
Crown. — Of an anchor. (See Anchor.)
Crowfoot.
62
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
Crutches.
Cruise. — A voyage within moderate limits, either
of pleasure, as in a yacht, or of business, as with a
fleet, when it goes out for some special purpose.
Cruiser.— A boat which is intended for cruising; with
yachts the word is used in contradistinction to racers.
Crutch. — A trestle supporting the boom of a fore-
and-aft sail when at rest (see tig.). Its use is to take
the weight of the boom off the halyards. Its place is
sometimes taken by a prop called the mitehboard
(which see). Metal rowlocks are occasionally called
crutches.
Cuddy. — 1. On shipboard, a small cabin ; some-
times the cook-house on deck. 2. In a half-decked
boat the space enclosed is occasionally called the
cuddy.
Cunningham's topsails. — A modified form of
double topsails, employed in square rigged ships since
their introduction by Cunningham. (See Double
Topsails. )
Currents. — Running movements in the waters,
often partially independent of the tides. There are
currents along every coast and in
every river. Those of his own
locality should be, to some extent,
known by anyone who would become
a good sailsman.
Customs regulations. — (See
Clearing.)
Cut. — To cut a sail. — To unfurl
and let it fall down.
To cut a feather. — To make the
foam fly as when, with the speed
of the snip, it curls itself into some-
thing like the form of a feather.
Cutting down line. — "A curve
line used by shipwrights in the
delineation of ships ; it determines
the thickness of all the floor-
timbers, and likewise the height
of the deadwood afore and abaft.
It is limited in the middle of the
ship by the thickness of the floor
timber, and abaft by the breadth of
the kelson ; and must be carried up
so high upon the stern as to leave
sufficient substance for the breeches
of the rising timbers." (Falconer's tL
Dictionary. ) Fig. l (see page 64).
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TERMS.
63
Cutlass. — A short sword used by men-of-war's men.
Cutter.—" Sooner or later," says Mr. Christopher Davies, in his
work on " Boat Sailing for Amateurs," " everyone in whom the love
of sailing remains, will, if his means and opportunities permit, go in
for cutter-sailing on the deep blue sea. The cutter is the national
rig, and it is in an all-round way the best, as it is certainly the
64
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
prettiest." 1. The cutter has but one mast (the main), and under
ordinary circumstances spreads but four sails, main and top-sails,
foresail and jib ; and occasionally she adds another, the jib topsail.
But when racing her spread of canvas is much increased ; an enormous
balloon jib takes the place of the everyday headsails for reaching,
while for running she may carry no less than four sails on her mast
alone ; though it must be notecl that this full complement of press-
canvas, as it is called, is very seldom seen. (See diagram under
Balloon Canvas.) The cutter differs from the sloop in the rigging
of the bowsprit and fore-stays. In the cutter the fore-stay comes
down to the stem-head of the vessel, and the bowsprit is reeving
(moveable). In the sloop the fore-stay runs to the end of the bow-
sprit, which is fixed: the fore-stay then changes its name, and
becomes known as the jib-stay (see fig. 1, p. 62). This difference is
further commented upon under the heading Sloop. The principal
parts of a cutter -yacht are as follow (fig. 2) : (1.) Keel. (2.) Stem-
post. (3.) Stern-post. (4.) Rudder. (5.) Channels. (6.) Bowsprit.
(7.) Bowsprit bitts. (8.) Masthead with cap and yoke, trestle-tree,
and cross-tree. (9.) Topmast hounds. (10.) Truck. (11.) Shrouds. (12.)
Topmast shrouds, terminating in the legs. (13.) Backstays. (14.)
Boom. (15.) Gaff, the upper end of which is the peak. (16.) Topsail
yard. (17.) Topmast fore-stay. On the main sail are the reef bands,
upon which hang the reef points, and at their extremities the reef
cringles, through which pendants are rove as at 18. (19.) Topping
lift. (20.) Peak lines or flag halyards. (21.) Topsail clew line.
2. Cutter. — A row boat attached to a man-of-war.
3. Cutter (in rowing matches). — A boat which follows the com-
petitors. They often follow important sculling matches, carrying
the trainers or coaches of the competitors, each of whom is allowed,
under certain restrictions, to direct the progress of bis man. In
such a case the boat used as cutter is usually an eight-oar.
Cutter stay fashion. — The method of turning in a deadcye with
the end of the shroud down. (See diagram under Deadeyes.)
Catting his painter. — Making off hurriedly — a slang term.
Cnt-water. — That portion of the stem of a vessel which cleaves
the water as she moves. (See fig. under
Entrance.)
D.
Dabcliick. — A sporting term for a
modern racing sail-boat of the smallest
class.
Dandy. — A small mizzen sail is often
thus called : it is usually triangular (see fig. )
A boat setting this or any such small mizzen
is sometimes called "dandy- rigged."
^
Dandy.
k DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
65
Davits.
Davit. — A light crane on a ship's sides for lower-
ing and lifting boats. The projecting beam over
which the anchor is hoisted is also sometimes called
a davit. (See fig. ; also under Fish.)
Davy Jones. — The spirit of the sea.
Davy Jones' locker. — The bottom of the sea, because
that is the receptacle of all things thrown overboard.
And those who have been buried at sea are said to
have gone to Davy Jones's locker.
Dead. — A term variously used at sea and in ship-
building. Thus in sailing :
Dead calm. — A calm in which the surface of the
sea is not agitated.
Dead head. — Any large block used as an anchor
buoy.
Dead horse. — The completion of labour which had
been paid for in advance used sometimes to be hailed
by seamen, by dragging a dead horse, or something
made to resemble it, round the ship and then swing-
ing it out on the yard arm.
Dead peg. — A dead peg to windward is making
progress dead in the teeth of the wind. (See Beat. )
Dead reckoning. — The rough reckoning of a vessel's
situation after taking the log and making usual
allowances ; but without minute observation as with the sextant.
Dead water. — The water which closes in astern of a ship as she
moves forward.
Dead wind. — A wind directly opposed to the course of a ship,
which may be spoken of as sailing dead against the wind, or mak-
ing a dead peg to windward.
A steam vessel making way directly contrary to the wind is said
to be dead on end.
To deaden way. — To check a ship's progress.
In shipbuilding:
Dead flat, otherwise called the mid-ship bend. It is the lowest
member of the largest timber (rib) in a vessel each rib being com-
posed of several pieces).
Dead lights. — Wooden protectors placed over cabin lights in bad
weather.
Dead rising, or rising line of floor. — The line along the bottom of the
nterior of a vessel where the flow-timbers join the lower futtocks.
Dead woods. — Strong wooden members connecting the foot of the
ead post and that of the stem post with the keel, and also taking
te ends of the lower strakes of a vessel. That one holding the
ail post is called the fore deadwood, that one on the stern post the
'ter deadwood. (See diagram under Frame.)
~*ead works. — A name at one time given to that part of a vessel
h is above the water when she is laden. The name is now
I the freeboard.
F
66
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
In the rigging of a ship :
Deadeyes. — Stout discs of wood through which holes (usually
three in numher) are pierced for the reception of thin ropes called
lanyards: they are employed as
blocks connecting the shrouds
with the channel plates. The
holes are the eyes, and because
they are not fitted with pulleys
they are called "dead," hence:
" deadeye." Deadeyes are of
various shapes, though the disc
form is far the most usual. The
heart has but one eye, the lower
edge of which is serrated or
"scored," so as to grip the
lanyard. The collar-heart is
open at the lower ends (see fig. ).
Dead-ropes. — Those ropes which
do not run in any blocks.
Deck. — Generally speaking
the covering of the interior of a
ship, either carried completely
over her or only over a portion.
Large ships and steam vessels
may have various decks, as in
the following list : —
Main deck. — The principal and
often the only deck in a vessel.
Anchor deck. — A small eleva-
tion in the bows.
Awning deck. — One completely
covering over a main deck.
Bridge deck or bridge house. —
A deck amidships upon which
the bridge is placed.
Fore-castle deck. — One covering taking
a deck fore-castle.
Hurricane deck. — An upper
deck extending across a vessel
amidships, usually for the officers
in command.
Lower deck. — One below the
main deck.
Monlcey deck. — Another name for the anchor deck.
Orlop deck. — The lowest in the ship. In old battle ships this
deck was below the water line; the cock-pit and certain of the store
rooms were upon it.
Poop deck. — One covering the after part of a vessel and forming
a poop.
SCAB EYES
FOR SMALL BOAT*
Various Deadeyes.
A DIGTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
67
the
J
ii-
hOod
FLUSH DECK
Brid ge Deck
•WtWMKW-m-
-UNCHCR CecK
B.D
Promenade deck (on passenger ships). — A deck covering the saloon,
usually reserved to the use of first-class passengers.
Quarter deck. — That part of the decking which covers
quarters ; or it
may he a sepa-
rate deck raised
over that por-
tion, when it is
called a raised
quarter deck.
Shade deck. —
Much like an
awning deck,
but less en-
closed.
Spar deck. —
A deck above
the main deck.
Top - gallant-
forecastle deck.
— A larger an-
chor deck.
Well deeli.—
That part of
the main deck
which consti-
tutes the well.
Working deck.
— A spar deck.
The different
types of vessels
classed in
Lloyd's register
are decked as
follows(seefig.).
1. Flush deck,
that is having
nothing raised
above the deck
beyond the head
of the engine
and boiler cas-
ings. 2. Vessel
having monkey
forecastle, bridge
LONG RAISED
QUARTER DECK
rffill«IMM°IH*-' w"-L- - '
IL_.
WELL DECKED VESSEL
')
SPAR PECKED
house and hood for the protection of steering gear. 3. Vessel having
top-gallant- forecastle, bridge house, and poop. 4. Vessel having
top-gallant-forecastle, bridge house, and short raised quarter-deck.
■5. Well-decked vessel, having top-gallant-forecastle, with a long
P 2
68 A DICTIONAEY OP SEA TEEMS.
poop and bridge-house combined. 6. Also known as well decked
vessel, having top-gallant-forecastle, with a long raised quarter-
deck and bridge-house combined. 7. Shade decked vessel, having
continuous upper deck of bight construction with openings in the
sides. 8. Awning decked vessel, with continuous upper deck of
light construction, and the sides completely enclosed above the
main deck. 9. Spar-decked vessel, with the scantlings above the
main deck heavier than that in the awning decked vessel, but not
so heavy as in a " three decked vessel."
Deep. — A gulf or channel in the sea, as the " Barrow Deep " in
the estuary of the Thames.
Deep (on the hand line). — One of the dividing marks, so that the
depth of water sounded may be seen at a glance or felt in the dark.
(See Lead.)
Depth. — Depth measure. — In ships this is taken inside, from the
underside of the beams to the kelson ; in open boats it is taken
outside, from the top of the gunwale to the underside of the true
keel.
Depth of a flag. — The perpendicular height, the length being
called the fly.
Depth of a sail. — The longest cloth (or strip of canvas.)
Derelict. — Forsaken. The term applies to ships from which
the crews have been withdrawn and in which no domestic animal is
left. Sometimes also it means the ebb-dry foreshore.
Derrick. — Generally speaking, a crane consisting mainly of one
large beam, the foot of which rests either upon the ground or at the
lower portion of a mast. (See also Floating Derrick.)
Deviation of the compass. — " The variation of a ship's com-
Dass from the true magnetic meridian, caused by the near presence
of iron." (See Compass.)
Devil. — A word with various meanings.
Devil bolts. — A name given to bolts with false clenches, or to-
those which may be otherwise faulty, in the building of a vessel by
contract.
Devil's claw. — A strong split hook grasping the link of a chain r
and sometimes used on cranes for gripping a weight.
Devilfish. — The fearful octopus " Lophius Piscatorius. " (See-
Victor Hugo's " Travailleurs de la Mer. ")
Devil seam. — That seam in a vessel which is about on the water
line.
Devil's smiles. — Gleams of sunshine in stormy weather, which
come, alas, only to deceive.
Devil's table cloth. — A name for the fleecy white clouds often seen
in windy weather.
The devil to pay. — An expression implying an \m pleasant
situation, or that something will have to be paid without the
wherewithal to do so. The full term (as employed by the-
ancients) is more self-explanatory, The devil to pay and no tar hot.
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS. 69
Dhow. — A long flat Arab vessel or canoe.
Diagonal build. — A method of boat building in which tho
planks run diagonally across the heads. (See BUILD.)
Dinghy. — A small open boat, usually attached to a yacht, and
useful for all general purposes. Of late years, tome dinghies, of
more than ordinary size, have been fitted
with engines. A dinghy, though of
course a necessity to a yacht, is often
somewhat of a burthen on a cruise, in
consequence of which several inven-
tions have from time to time been
brought in for rendering it collapsable.
None of these, however, have become
very popular. The dinghy is by some Dinghy.
people called the "punt."
Dip. — To dip is to lower and then raise again. Thus to dip a flag
is a salute, and it may be dipped a varied number of times accord-
ing to the personage saluted. (See Salute.)
Dipping lug. — A lug sail which must be lowered and set again
every time a boat carrying it changes her tack. (See Lua.)
Displacement. — The weight of water displaced by any vessel.
The word was, at one time, made use of in defining the carrying
power of ships. As applied to yachts it has but little meaning :
these are now " rated " by measurement and sail area. (See Rating.)
Distress. — In want of assistance. In small craft a signal of
distress is made by hoisting a ball, or anything like a ball, in place
of a flag, or by flying the ensign upside down. At night signal must
be made by rockets or fires. (See SIGNALS.)
Dock. — An artificially constructed basin for the reception of
vessels. It may be either a wet dock, in which ships are unloaded,
or a dry dock, in which they are either built or repaired.
Dockyard. — An enclosed area in which the work connected
with the building or fitting out of ships is carried on.
Dog. — Dog-stupper. — A stopper on a cable to enable it to be bitted.
Dog-watch. — The short watches, or spaces of time, into which
the 24 hours of the day are divided on sailing ships. They are only
of two hours' duration each, the ordinary watches being of four
hours', and their use is to shift the watches each night, so that the
same watch (gang of men) need not be on deck at the same hours.
They are from 4 to 6 p.m. and from 6 to 8 a.m. (See WATCHES.)
Dogger (old term). — "A Dutcli fishing-vessel navigated in the
German Ocean ; it is equipped with two masts, a main mast and a
mizzen mast, and somewhat resembles a ketch. It is principally
used for fishing on the Dogger Bank." (Falconer's Dictionary.)
This vessel in the Dutch and Scandinavian languages was known
as a pink.
Dogger-men. — Men engaged in the Dogger Bank fisheries.
70
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
Doggett's coat and badge. — A celebrated race for Thames-
watermen's apprentices. Its origin is thus given in Faulkner's
" History of Chelsea." " Mr. Thomas Doggett, a native of Ireland,
was an actor on the stage and made his first appearance at Dublin ;
but his efforts not meeting with sufficient encouragement, he
removed to London, where he performed with great reputation, and
by his talents, industry, and economy, acquired a competent fortune
and quitted the stage some years before he died. In his political
principles, he was, in the words of Sir Richard Steele, ' A Whig up
to head and ears ' ; and lie took every occasion of demonstrating his
loyalty to the house of Hanover. One instance, among others, is-
well known ; Avhich is, that in the year after King George the First
came to the throne, in 1715, Doggett gave a waterman's orange-
coloured coat and silver badge to be rowed for ; on the latter is re-
presented the Hanoverian horse; but the newspapers of the day will
nave it to represent the wild unbridled horse of liberty. This
contest takes place on the first day of August, being the anniversary
of that King's accession to the throne, between six young watermen,
who have just completed their apprenticeship ; the claimants start-
ing off on a signal being given at the time of the tide when the
current is strongest against them,
and rowing from the Old Swan,
near London Bridge, to the
White Swan at Chelsea."
Dolphin. — The name some-
times given to those posts, more
usually called bollards, on a
quay or pier to which hawsers or
springs may be fastened.
Dolphin stri/cer. — A small spar
rigged at right angles beneath
the bow-sprit in large vessels for the extra staying of the bowsprit
and jib boom.
Donkey. — Donkey engine. —
Often called the " donkey," a
small engine on ship-board (or
ashore) to do light work such
as hauling in the cable, working
the derrick, etc.
Donkey topsail. — The jack-
topsail (which see) is sometimes
thus called.
Double. — In ship - building,
doubling is, generally, a method
of restoring old clincher - built
hulls. It consists in covering each - I)o ^£i
stroke (line of planking) with a
new planking cut so as to be flush Doubling.
CARVIL.
3UILD
350UBLINCr
A DICTIONAKY OP SEA TERMS.
71
•with the lands (overlapping edges). Thus a doubled boat may
appear to be carvil built, while she is really no such thing. Doubling
certainly renders old boats fit for further service, but it is often
practised for the sake of deceiving buyers, and must, therefore,
be looked upon with caution. People who invest in old boats should
survey them very carefully beforehand, and if they are found to be
doubled, the reason should be known.
Doubling a cape, in sailing, is going round a cape or headland.
Double, sculling (in rowing). — The propulsion of a boat by two
persons, each using sculls. It is much practised on the Upper
Thames ; and (for pleasure purposes) mostly with a coxswain. In
racing, however, a rudder is often dispensed with, and the steering
performed by the bow sculler.
Double banked (also in rowing). — A system at one time in vogue
for ships' long-boats of placing two rowers on each thwart, or bank
(French banc — bench). (See BANK.)
Double topsails. — In
square rigged ships — a
pair of topsails, the
result of dividing one
big topsail into two
smallones, called respec-
tively the topsail and
the lower or middle
topsail. This method
was introduced to
meet the difficulties
of working so large
a sail as the old
style of topsail, and
was found to answer
so satisfactorily that
it has since been em-
ployed in all modern
ships. These half sails
are, naturally, short
in the drop, and spread
a wide clew. They are
deeply roached and present a very smart appearance.
Down. — To " down " a sail, mast, etc., is to lower it.
Doivns, or dunes (from the ancient dunes). — Banks of sand thrown
up by the sea and carried forward by the wind.
The Downs. — A famous shipping road along the eastern coast of
Kent from Dover to the North Foreland, and where excellent
anchorage is to be obtained and shelter during westerly gales. It
is here that the British Fleet used to meet.
Downhaul. — A rope by which a sail or spar is hauled down or in.
Thus the jib downhaul hauls the jib in, along the l>owsprit, wliile
the peak downhaul brings the peak down. The downhauls in small
Double Topsails.
72 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
craft are very often, in fact most often, only halyards or sheets
turned to the use. Such are the throat, peak, jib, and topsail
downhauls ; the throat-downhaul being merely the tack tricing line
made fast for the time to the boom stays or elsewhere ; the peak
lines or flag halyard doing service as the peak downhatil ; the jib
outhaul as the jib downhaul ; and the topsail downhaul, which is
more truly a downhaul than any, serving also as a tack line. A large
foresail (or in a square rigged vessel, a staysail) is sometimes
furnished with a downhaul which leads from the tack of the sail
to its head, and thence to the deck. The sail can thus be hauled
down and into the vessel.
Down-helm. — To put the helm to leeward. (See Helm.)
Sailing down the wind is "running."
Dowse. — To lower or slacken suddenly; expressed of a sail or
rope.
Drabler (only of old ships). — "An additional part of a sail,
sometimes laced to the bottom of the bonnet on a square sail. " It
appears that the square sails in small craft were at one period
increased in size by the addition of a lower strip of canvas called the
bonnet (lohich see), and to this again was added another strip called
the drabler. These strips were sometimes buttoned and sometimes
laced to the sail, the latter through small loops sewed to the bonnet
or drabler and called laskets. The drabler is now extinct, though
the bonnet remains in certain fore-and-aft rigged vessels. (See
Norfolk Wherry.)
Drag. — To drag is to draw a frame of iron or wood, sometimes
furnished with a net, and called the drag or dredge, along the bottom of
any water, either for something lost or for taking fish. (See Dredge. )
To drag for an anchor is to draw the bight of a chain or rope along
the bottom, each end being in a boat.
An anchor is said to drag, or come home, when it loses its hold.
Draught. — The draught of a vessel, or, in other words, the
depth of water she draws, is the vertical depth of the immersed
part of her ; that is, the distance of the lowest point of her keel
(or any other specified point) from the surface of the water.
Draw. — Drawing. — The state of a sail when inflated and the lee
sheets taut, and therefore carrying the vessel on her course.
Let draw. — To draw over the sheets of foresail or jib when coming
about.
To draw upon any object or moving vessel is to gain upon it.
A draw. — A short rope for drawing down part of a sail, as the
tack of a lug sail.
Dredge (often pronounced ' ' drudge "). — A dredge or dredger is a
machine for clearing or deepening rivers, canals, etc. There are
also dredges, sometimes called drags, drawn along the bottom by
boats for the purpose either of disturbing the mud or of fetching up
any object, such as oyster dredges.
Dredgerman (drudgerman). — One who works a dredge.
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEEMS. 73
Dress (a ship). — To deck her out with colours (flags).
Drift. — To drift is to be carried with a stream or current, and
with a vessel it implies that she is not under control.
Drive. — To drive or to be driven is (of a ship) to drift ; it is
thus described by Falconer: — "To carry at random along the
surface of the water as impelled by a storm or impetuous current.
Driving is generally expressed of a ship, when accidentally broke
loose from her anchors or moorings. "
Driver, or spanker. — The fore-and-aft or gaff sail on the
mizzen mast of a ship or bark.
Drop. — To drop. This term is often used with reference to
moving a vessel a short distance, or to letting her drift with the tide.
Thus she may drop up or drop down, according to the direction in
which she is carried.
Drop anchor. — To let go the anchor.
Drop astern. — To go, to remain, or to be left astern of a vessel.
Drop keel. — Another name for the centre-board (which see).
Drop pawl. — A pawl which drops upon each tooth of a rack wheel.
(See Pawl.)
The drop of a sail. — The depth of a sail, expressed more generally
of a square sail, as " the main-sail drops 30ft."
Drowned. — The leading principles upon which the directions
for the restoration of the apparently dead from drowning are
founded are those of the late Dr. Marshall Hall, combined with those
of Dr. H. It. Silvester, and supplemented by rules suggested by Dr.
George S. Wells. These principles are the result of extensive inquiries
which were made by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in
1863-4 amongst medical men, medical bodies, and coroners throughout
the United Kingdom. The rules are in Her Majesty's Fleet ; in the
Coastguard Service, at all stations of the British Army at home and
abroad ; in the light-houses and vessels of the Corporation of the
Trinity House ; the Metropolitan and Provincial Police Forces, the
Metropolitan School Board Schools, and the St. John Ambulance
Association. Those out of touch with any of these institutions
will also find them in Lloyd's Almanac. Every person indulging
in boating should become familiar with them.
Dnb (in shipbuilding). — To work with the adze on a spar and
the like.
Duck. — 1. To dive, dip, or lower.
2. Duck. — Fine canvas used for the sails of light Iwats, and also
for the trousers of seamen.
Ducking at the yard arm. — An old punishment (now extinct),
consisting of swinging a man up to the yard arm and then dropping
him into the water.
Dunnage (at sea). — " The name applied to loose wood or
rubbish placed at the bottom of the hold to raise the cargo either for
purposes of ballast, or to keep it dry. "
74 A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEBMS.
Dutchman. — A name given to
any Dutch craft, of which there are
many classes ; but the one or two-
masted vessels, Avith overhanging
bows and very curved sheers,
common on the east coast, are
often classed as Dutchmen.
Dyke. — A large ditch or fissure
in marsh or low lying lands such
as saltings. In the east of England
the word is pronounced " deek."
E.
Eagre, or eagor (also acker). —
An eddying (or eager) ripple on the
surface of flooded waters. A tide
swelling over another tide, as in the - -.?
Severn. (See Bore.) — (Smyth.) Dutchman.
Earings, or reef earings. —
Small ropes attached to cringles (loops or eyes) in the bolt ropes at
the head of sails. The following has reference to square rig : —
Earings. — " Small ropes fastened to cringles (loops) in the upper
corners, and also to the leeches of sails, for the purpose of fixing the
leeches of the sail to the yard. The first or head earings fix the
corners of the sail permanently, the second being used only in
reefing." (Brande and Cox.) There is a difference between earings
and reef earings, as follows : — The former are spliced to the cringle ;
the latter are rove through a cringle having an eye spliced in
it, so that it may the more easily be renewed. (Falconer.)
Ease. — Ease away. — In sailing, to slacken away gradually ; as of
a rope. '
Ease the ship. — To put the helm hard a'lee when she is expected
to plunge. This may well be done in small craft, and is also done
in large vessels, notwithstanding much opposition to the practice
on the part of writers on the art of sailing, who hold it to be
impossible to influence the motion of the vessel in so short a time as
would be necessary to put her into a coming wave.
Easy (in rowing). — An order to cease rowing, and lie on the
oars, that is to drop them just above the water, blades flat. The
order is often given, — " Easy all!"
Easting. — Distance eastward ; just as northing is distance north-
ward.
Ebb.— The reflux of the tide.
Ebb dry. — That portion of a solid or hard foreshore which is daily
covered at high tide and left dry at low.
Eddy. — A circular motion in water, caused either by its meeting
with some obstacle and circling round it, or by the meeting of
opposite currents. Eddies are frequent round the piers of bridges
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
75
End On.
Rejmla-
when the tide runs swiftly, and may often be dangerous to small
boats. This is particularly the case under the bridges of the
Thames. In such cases, therefore, it is wise to be
cool and careful, and to keep strict attention to
the boat's course, that she be not swung round.
Eight-oar. — A boat rowed by eight oars. On
the Upper Thames it is usually understood to
mean a racing outrigger.
Elbows (in shipbuilding).— (See Knees.)
End (of a rope). — The end of a rope is spoken
of in contradistinction to the bight, which is that
part between the ends ; but a bight is also more
generally looked upon as a bent part of the rope
(see Bight). The standing end, otherwise called
the standing part of a rope, is that end which is
fixed or made fast, the part hauled upon being
called the running end or part.
End on. — The situation of a vessel when point-
ing directly at any object ; thus if, at night, we
see both the red and green lights of a ship we
know her to be end on. This term is employed in the
tions for Prevention of Collisions at Sea."
End ring. — 1. Of a chain, a round ring gener-
ally terminating the chain. (See figure under
CHAIN.) 2. A ring or cap fitted over the end
of a spar. It prevents the spar from splitting, and
is generally made with eyes or hooks round it
to carry small blocks. It is found on gaffs,
bowsprits, etc., that on the bowsprit being
generally called the cratise-irun. (See figure
under Bowsprit. )
Ensign (usually pronounced "ens'n"). — The
flag carried by a ship as the insignia of her
nationality. The ensign of Great Britain con-
sists of a red, white or blue field (or ground),
with the device of the Union (see Union Jack)
in the first canton (i.e., the upper quarter
nearest the mast). The wlute ensign displays
the cross of Saint George, i.e., a red cross on
a white field, with the Union in the first
quarter ; the red and blue ensigns are without a |
cross, but often, though the Union in them,
occupies only the same area as though the
cross still remained. Ships of war ny the
ensign of St. George, i.e., the white ensign
the Naval Reserve the blue ; and the Mercantile
Navy the red. Until recent years all three were 8J - UE ■>"
used in the Royal Navy, there being an Admiral Ensigns.
MERC ANTIUC
76 A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
of the White, of the Blue, and of the Red. The distinctions have,
however, been discontinued : by a rule of 1864 all men-of-war carry
the St. George's ensign. Certain yacht clubs have also the privilege
of flying particular ensigns, as in tbe case of the Royal Yacht
Squadron, which flies the white. The ensign is hoisted in a steam
vessel, or large ship, on a pole over the taffrail ; on a schooner, brig,
etc. , at the peak of the main gaff ; on a cutter or sloop, at the peak ;
on a yawl, at the mizzen peak, unless the mizzen be a lug-sail, when
it is sent up at the main peak ; and
on a row boat over the stern. In
port it flies between 8 a.m. and
sunset ; at sea only when meeting
strangers. Turned upside down it
is a signal of distress. Displayed
under any than ordinaiy circum-
stances it becomes a signal. (For
further reference to its use by
yacht clubs see BURGEE.)
Entrance. — That part of the hull of a vessel (aft of the cut-
water) which throws off tbe water as she moves. (See fig.)
Equinox. — (Lat., sequus, equal, and nox, night.) " In astronomy,
the time at which the sun passes through the equator in one of the
equinoctial points. When the sun is in the equator, the days and
nights are of equal length all over the world, whence the derivation
of the term. This happens twice every year, namely, about the
21st of March and the 22nd of September ; the former is called the
vernal and the latter the autumnal equinox." (Brande and Cox.)
The atmosphere is often much disturbed at these times, and hence
at the beginning of spring and again at the beginning of autumn we
have what are palled the " equinoctial gales."
Escutcheon. — The plate upon which a ship's name is written
is sometimes thus called.
Europe (rope). — A dark brown tarred rope, now almost super-
seded by maaiilla. Bits of old Europe used to be sent to prisons
with which to make oakum.
Even keel. — A boat is said to be on an even keel when she lies
evenly in a fore-and-aft direction (i.e., in the direction of the keel).
(See diagram under Keel.) She is also sometimes erroneously so
described, especially with rowers, when she is upright in the water,
canting neither to right nor to left.
Every. — Every in'h of that. — An exclamation. To belay a rope
without letting an inch go.
Every rope an end. — Every rope running freely.
Every stitch of canvas. — All sail set and no possibility of adding
more.
Eye.— Generally speaking a small hole or loop, as : —
Eye of a block strop. — That cringle or hole in any rope or sail
from which a block is suspended.
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
77
It
'i-rzzf, j~eV&s r
exes fo« lacimgs
FLEMISH
Eyes.
2fye 0/ an anchor. — The hole in the head of the shank in which
is the ring.
Eye bolts, screw eyes, bolt eyes. — Screws or bolts, the heads
of which form rings. When they are employed for guiding the
sheets of sails they are sometimes called fair leads [see FAIR.)
Eye splice. — An eye made in the end of
a rope, either wire or hempen, by turning . ;' .' . • .'-»'
over the end and splicing it into itself. (See
Knots.)
Eyelet hole. — An eye in a sail, either
to take rope or lacing. It is usually
strengthened with a small metal ring.
Flemish eye. — An eye at the end of a rope,
not spliced, but bound with yam (see fig. ).
Eyes (on a sail). — Rings sewn into the
luff and leech of a sail to take the ties or
lashings when reefing. Also holes in the
sail to admit of short ropes (reef points)
being passed through them.
In the eye of the wind. — A vessel is said to sail " in the eye of the
wind " when she keeps her course at a very acute angle with the
wind, or, in other words, when she sails very close to the wind.
In the eyes of her. — The most forward part of a vessel.
Eyot (pronounced "eight"). — Any small island in the Upper
Thames, as " Chiswick Eyot," one of the points often mentioned in
the records of rowing or sculling matches over the championship course.
P.
Fag. — Fag end of a rope ; the end which is apt to become un-
twisted, or fagged out, and is therefore whipped, or bound, with yarn
to prevent this.
Pair. — Fair weather. — In the north the simple word " fair "
often means this.
Fair wind. — A wind which takes a
ship on her course without the necessity
of tacking.
Fair way. — A navigable tract or
channel of water, either at sea, in a
harbour, or up a river.
Fairlead (on the deck of a vessel). —
Any ring, bolt, eye, or loop which
guides a rope in the direction re-
quired (see ng.). It is often called a
" chuck."
Fair curves (in shipbuilding). — " The
lines of a boat taken indiscriminately tjj
either vertically, horizontally, trans- v
versely, or sectionally, should all Fairleads.
78
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Fig. 1.
result in regular even curves without any severe or sharp angular
bends. The curves fulfilling this test are termed fair curves. In
a boat properly designed the curves in all directions should be fair."
(Winn, " Boating Man's Vade Mecum.")
Fake. — A slang term used under almost any
circumstances and signifying almost anything.
Thus to fake sometimes means to make a thing
look right when it is not so, or to get a job over,
no matter how. The word fakement (used by landsmen
more than by seamen) is occasionally employed when
the speaker is at a loss for the name of anything.
A fake of a rope. — One of the circles of a coiled rope.
Fall. — Roughly speaking, a rope to be hauled
upon (fig. 1). Thus the fall of a tackle is the rope
upon which men pull, as the bobstay fall, the rope
which taughtens the bobstay ; the cat fall, the rope
hauled upon when the cat-block is secured to the
anchor in bringing it into the ship, etc.
Fall aboard. — To run foul of another vessel.
Fall astern. — To drop astern of (i.e., behind)
another vessel.
Fall calm. — To become calm ; a sudden drop
of the wind.
Fall down to. — To drift on an ebbing tide
from some place or mooring to another.
Fall home, tumble home, and tumbling in, are
terms used in shipbuilding to describe the
inward curve, from the bilge upward, peculiar
to certain vessels. In the old battle ships this
was particularly noticeable. The continuation
of this curve below the water-bine and towards
the keel is sometimes called the^?a»-e (fig. 2),
which name is also applied to the outward
curve of the bows. (See Fl ARE. )
Fall off (from the wind). — In sailing, a boat is said to fall off when
her tendency is to run away from the wind, and therefore to make
considerable leeway. Occasionally a boat may be in the habit of
doing this when put up into the wind, in consequence of her not
having sufficient gripe of the water forward. It is a bad and dangerous
fault. In centre-board boats it may sometimes be counteracted,
at great trouble, by shifting the board forward. (See Lee Helm.)
Fall not off. — A command to the steersman to keep the vessel's
head close to the wind.
False keel. — An addition to the main keel. It not only acts
as a protection to the main keel, but enables the vessel to take a
better hold of the water. (See Frame.)
Fan. — 1. (Of a paddle wheel in steam boats.) — One of the flat plates
or boards which flap the water. 2. (Of a canoe paddle.) — The blade.
fS-AREJ
Fig. 2.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 79
The disc or blade sometimes seen on fancy boat-hooks is also called
the fan.
Fanal. — A lighthouse. (French.)
Fancy line. — A bine running through a block beneath the jaws
of a gaff and used as a down haul. When it is attached to the tack
of the sail so as to be able to trice that up it becomes a tricing line.
Fang. — Fangs are the valves of pump boxes. Hence, to pour
water into the pumps of a vessel to enable them to start working, or
to fetch, is to fang the pumps.
Fantod. — One of many opprobrious names given by seamen to an
officer who is somewhat fidgety.
Fardage. — Dunnage (when a ship is laden in bulk).
Fashion nieces (in shipbuilding). — The aftermost timbers
of a vessel which form or " fashion " the shape of her stem.
Fast. — To make fast. — -To fasten— spoken of a rope when lashing
anything with it, but not when belaying.
Fathom. — A measure of depth— 6ft. Depths of water are
always spoken of in fathoms or portions of a fathom ; the lead line
is marked in them ; and the soundings on charts, unless otherwise
stated, are given in the same. But the depth drawn by any vessel
is always calculated in feet. Thus a vessel drawing 18ft. will
ground in less than three fathoms.
Fay. — To join two pieces of timber by thinning down the ends
aud fitting them to each other.
Feather (in rowing). — The act of turning the oar as it leaves
the water at the finish of a stroke, so that, in the recovery of the
stroke, the blade passes over the surface of the Mater horizontally,
thereby presenting the least resistance to the wind as well as to the
water should the blade accidentally touch it. No one should learn
to row without feathering ; in fact, it should come naturally, as the
arms are thrust forward ; and as the recovery finishes the oars should
be in position to take the stroke. Feathering at sea in this manner
is impossible, for the waves might catch the oar at eveiy stroke ;
but here the act has a different intent, the blade of the oar being
kept pretty much at the same angle throughout both stroke and
recovery ; not at right angles to the water, but at an angle of some-
thing like 45 degrees. This constitutes the great difference
between sea and river rowing ; a difference so great that many well-
trained river boatmen require some little practice before they are
able to pick up the knack of the sea style. In smooth waters the
blade of the oar is put in at right angles to the surface, and a steady
even pull is taken with it until the stroke is complete, when, as it
comes out, it is quickly turned flat. At sea, on the contrary, the
oar goes into the water at an obtuse angle, which, directly pressure
is put on it, causes it to dip itself somewhat deep ; the rower then
puts his weight upon it and pulls down (not along), thus lifting
the oar instead of actually pulling it. This, indeed, is the only
way in which the long, heavy oars used by fishermen can be handled.
80
A DICTIONARY OF SFA. TEBMS.
Feather edge. — A sharp edge of a plank sawn
diagonally across its section. Planks thus sawn are
said to be feather edged. In doubling a clincher-built
boat the planks of the outer covering or doubling will
have to be feathered. (See Doubling.)
Feel (the helm). — When the helm of a vessel re-
quires something of a pull to bring her up into the
wind the steersman may say that he feels the helm.
Fend, fenders. — To fend off is to push off any
heavy body from another so as to avoid contact.
So a fender or fend off is a cushion, usually of rope or yam, in-
serted between two boats or between a boat and any other object
for the purpose of fending it off from the other.
Fenders are of various forms. The pudding
fender is made of old rope worked up into a
large round pad, not altogether unlike a pud-
ding of handsome dimensions : it is always to
be seen on large vessels, steam-boats, etc. The
plain fender rope is made of one or more short
pieces of rope folded so that the ends meet and
are served or bound together with yam. Some
fenders are of sawdust, contained in a bag of
painted canvas : these, however, are apt to
swell and become hard, and are unsuitable,
therefore, for anything but show purposes.
Cork, on the other hand, or oakum covered in
leather, are useful. India rubber, too, in the
form of rings, is very good. For a boat which
is subject to a good deal of knocking about, i'fmL
such as a yacht's dinghy, no better form of
fender can be employed than a thick rope run-
ning all round the sax board, and this is now
being adopted even in pleasure boats. In many Thames skiffs
small fenders (often of sawdust, and painted white) appear to
exist as much for orna-
ment as for use ; being
slung permanently round
the rowlocks, to which, it
must be admitted, they
give a neat and finished
appearance. Yachtsmen,
however, have an objection to this, and never allow fenders to
remain out board while under way.
Ferry. — " In law, a right arising from royal grant or prescription
to have a boat to carry men, etc. , across a river, and to levy reasonable
toll. The land on both sides ought to belong to the owner."
Ferry boats are of various kinds, from the mere open boat to the
chain worked pontoons or steam passenger boats crossing wide rivers.
FENDEJi WE —
Fenders.
Fender Rope Round Skiff.
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
81
FlFEUAIL.
Fetch.— To attain. " We shall fetch to windward of the light-
house, this tack."
To fetch way. — To make way ; hut Falconer gives it as follows :—
" To be shaken or agitated from side to side."
The pumps fetch. — They begin to work.
Pid. — A bolt of wood or iron which fixes the heel of a topmast or
bowsprit. The fid of a mast rests, when the topmast is lifted, in
the fid holes upon the trestle-trees, thereby
preventing the topmast from coming down. /
(See diagrams under Mast.)
Splicing-fid. — A spike for opening the strands
of a rope.
Fiddle block. — A block with one sheave
larger than another, and which, therefore, can
take two sizes of rope ; from which circum-
stance it is also often called a thick-and-thin
block.
Fiferail. — A plank or rail upon which a
group of belaying-pins are fixed. They are
often seen on the shrouds of large yachts,
where they take some of the halyards ; and
in ships, where all halyards belay by the
shrouds, the fiferail may be fitted with
powerful cleats.
Figurehead. — The figure or other carving which used to, and
occasionally still does, adorn the prow of wooden ships. Properly
applied they should represent the subject of the ship's name.
Figure-of-eight knot.— (-See Knots.)
Fill. — To fill the sails is so to trim them that the wind may act
upon them.
Fillets. — Small projecting bands, of square section, on any
spars or mouldings.
Finishing. — The final work on and ornamenting of the hull of
a ship.
Fish. — The name of an apparatus for hauling in the flukes of an
anchor in a ship. It consists of the fish davit, a timber or iron bracket
projecting from the bows of the ship, and to this is attached the fish
ta'hle, which consists of the fish block, the principal block of the tackle;
and the purchase on which is obtained by hauling upon the fish fall
— i.e., the rope leading from the fish-blocks. (See figs, under Davit.)
Fish fronts. — Strengthening or stiffening planks bound over a
broken spar to hold it together.
Fisherman.— One who lives by fishing, whether on salt water
or fresh. But one who loafs about the shore, or who lets out boats,
is not a fisherman.
Fisherman's bend. — A knot used in securing an anchor to a rope,
and sometimes for bending sails to halyards. (See KNOTS.)
Fisherman's walk. — An extremely confined space on the deck of
82
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
a vessel, " three steps and overboard," or, in other words, no larger
an area than the deck of a fishing boat. The term is sometimes used
in derision of what yachtsmen call their " quarter deck." (Smyth.)
Fitting out.—" Getting in the masts, putting the rigging over-
head, stowing the hold, and so on." (Capt. Basil Hall.)
Flag. — A flag has been defined as a banner indicating nationality,
occupation, or intelligence. The flags of nationality are standards,
ensigns, jades. Those of occupation are such as indicate the
service or occupation of those who fly them, as war, trading,
pilotage, yachting, etc. Those of intelligence are called signals,
and are of various forms and colours. They are of three shapes,
the square, the pointed, and the double-pointed or swallow tail.
(See under Signals.)
The standard is the flag of war, bearing the Royal Arms of the
nation. (See Standard.)
The ensign is the signal of nationality. (See Ensign.)
The jack is used under a large variety of circumstances. (See
Jack.)
A pennant, or pendant, is a long pointed flag generally used in
conjunction with signals. (See PENDANT. )
A burgee is a small pointed or swallow tail flag mostly used by
yacht clubs. (See Burgee.)
A bandrol, or bannerole, is a small streamer. (The word is not
much used in nautical language.)
A wheft, or whiff, is also a streamer used either with signals or
at a mast head.
A house jlag is a square flag distinguishing a particular shipping
company. (See House Flag. )
A member's jlag is a small flag belonging to a private member of a
yacht club. (See Member's Flag and Burgee. )
A plain white flag signifies a clean bill of health : in war it is the
flag of truce. A yellow flag is the mark of quarantine, and warns
all passers to pass or moor to windward. A red flag alone signifies
that the vessel or barge upon which it is displayed carries an explosive
cargo. A black flag is the old flag of piracy. A flag hoisted upside
down is a signal of distress. j L A?*" p ««ct.e
Half mast high, it means €>
mourning ; when dipped it
is a mark of salutation or
respect, the number of dips
being according to the person
or object saluted.
The parts of a flag are the
same as the parts of an es-
cutcheon in heraldry. The
perpendicular depth of a flag
is called its hoist, height, or
depth. Its length is called
the/y.
•/.* Canton
Zr Canton.
3 r « Canton
J? t Canton.
, f FL y- >j
Flag.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEBMS. 83
Flag lieutenant. — The immediate attendant upon an admiral,
whose orders he communicates to all other ships in command.
Flag officer. — An officer entitled to bear his own distinguishing
flag at his mast head. Such are admirals and commodores.
Flag ship.— That ship of a fleet which flies the admiral's flag.
Flare, or flam (a flying out). — The peculiar outward and up-
ward curve in the form of a vessel's bow. When it hangs over she
is sometimes said to have a ' ' flaring bow. " (See Fall and Frame.)
Flare up lights. — Lights used on the deck of a vessel as signals.
They burn only a few seconds. (See Lights and Signals.)
Flash. — Flashlight. — A species of revolving light from a light-
house or ship. (See Lights.)
Flash vessel. — A vessel all paint outside but without much order
within.
Flat. — Level ground under the sea and generally near the shore ;
as the Kentish Flats, in the estuary of the Thames. Otherwise a
shoal or shallow place.
Flats (in shipbuilding). — The futtocks amidships.
Flat-floors, also called bearers, because they bear the floor boards,
are small beams across the lowest part of a vessel. They are made
flat above, so as to bear the flooring, and hollow underneath (some-
what in the form of arches) ; or if of solid pieces, are pierced under-
neath with arched apertures, called limbers, these limbers, or
passages through them, being necessary to allow any bilge water
to run fore and aft. (See Limbers.) In open boats they are often
dispensed with, their place being taken by the footicaling . (See
diagram under Frame.)
To flat in a sail. — To haul it in flat.
"Flat as a board." — An expression used in admiration of a sail
which sets very free of creases, as it is the pride of yachtsmen to see
them.
Flaw.— A sudden breeze or gust of wind. A sudden change in
the direction of the wind. Fickle winds.
Fleet.— A fleet is a number of vessels in company, be they war
vessels or any others. Thus we may have a fishing fleet, such as the
late Barking fleet and the Yarmouth fleet. The fleet is the name gener-
ally given to the ships of the Koyal Navy or a detachment of it.
Fleet water, a fleet. — Shallow tidal water ; a shallow place.
Hence the names Benfleet, Northfleet, Purfleet, etc., and also
Fleet Street.
To fleet blocks. — To free or loosen the blocks of a tackle, when
drawn close together. Falconer gives the following definition of the
term : " To fleet is to change the situation of a tackle, when the
blocks are drawn together, or what is called block and block by
sailors ; also to change the position of the dead eyes, when the
shrouds are becoming too long, which is done by shortening the
shroud and turning in the dead eye again, lugher up. The use of
fleeting is, accordingly, to replace the mechanical powers into a
G 2
84 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
state of action, the force by which they operated before being
destroyed by the meeting of the blocks or deadeyes. Fleeting,
therefore, is nearly similar to the winding up of a watch or clock."
To fleet a cable, or haivser, is to allow it " to slip on the whelps
(upright pieces) of the capstan or windlass, from the larger to a part
of the smaller diameter." (" Dictionary of Mechanics.")
Flemish. — Flemish coil. — To coil a rope in fanciful patterns, as
in the figure of 8. A Fretich fake is a modification of this.
Flemish eye. — An eye at the end of a rope not spliced but sewn with
yarn. (See diagram under Eye.)
Flemish horse (in square rig). — The outer portion of a horse, the
horse being a rope hanging below a yard upon which a man may
stand while reefing ; and the horse is hung upon short ropes called
stirrups.
Foam.— The fallen or flying spray of the sea.
Float. — Floating anchor. — A contrivance of spars, sails, or indeed
of anything that will float, thrown overboard and belayed to the
bow of a boat to lessen her drift to leeward when lying to in
a gale.
Floating bridge. — A form of ferry, hauled by chains across a
stream.
Floating derrick. — A derrick built up on a hull, and employed
in raising sunken vessels, piles, etc.
Floating dock. — A huge iron
vessel, having a double case with
large intervening space between,
into which ships can be floated
for repair.
Floating harbour. — A break-
water of spars, etc., fastened to-
gether and moored, as a protection
for a vessel lying at anchor ; its
object being to keep off the FuuTING anchor or Harbour.
violence of the sea.
Floatsam.—(See Flotsam.)
Flood. — Flood tide. — The flowing or rising tide. The tide is said
to be at its flood when it is at its highest, and therefore slack. But
the turn from ebb to flow is also the flood, and it is just before this
flood that vessels which are waiting for the turn get under weigh ;
thus we come to appreciate the meaning of the well-known lines
" There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood,
leads on to fortune."
Flood gate. — A tidal gate or sluice gate.
Floor.— That portion of the inside of a vessel which is below
the water line.
Floor boards, foot boards, or bilge boards. — The loose planking
lying over the floor timbers and flat floors ; they cover the ballast
and keep the bilgewater out of sight.
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEKMS. 85
: Flat-floors or bearers. — Small beams supporting the floor- boards.
(See Flat-floors. )
Floor j) Ian. — A longitudinal section of a vessel, showing her plan
at the water line, or any other line parallel to it.
Floor timbers. — The lower members, or "timbers," of a vessel's
ribs (for the ribs of ships are composed of several pieces, called
futtocks). The upper ends are called the floor heads. (These parts
are illustrated in the diagrams under the heading Frame. )
Flotsam (usually pronounced floatsani). — A term in mercan-
tile law, as also at sea, meaning goods cast into the sea and floating
in the waves. There are three conditions in which goods cast from
a ship in distress may remain. 1. Flotsam, or floating (as above) ;
2. Jetsam, cast and sunk ; 3. Lagan or Ligsam, sunk and
fastened to a buoy. (See under each heading.) Such goods, if no
claim be laid to them within a certain time, become the property of
the Crown. (See Wreckage. ) The term flotsam is also applied by
fishermen to the floating spawn of certain fishes, or shellfish, as the
spat of the oyster in its swimming state.
Flow. — Flowing tide. — The tide rising. When the ebb ceases,
the tide is said to flow : thus, " The tide flows at 5 o'clock " will
mean " the tide will cease running down and begin to run up at
5 o'clock."
Flowing sheet. — The sheets loosened or "eased off," and the
ship, therefore, running before the wind, or nearly so.
Fluke. — The palm or hook of an anchor. (See Anchor.)
Flush. — Smooth, or of an even surface — spoken often of the
joints of planks when placed together.
Flush-deck. — A deck running from stem to stern without the
interruption of forecastle, booby hatch, or other cabin head. (See
diagram under Deck.)
Fly. — 1. Of a flag, its length, the perpendicular height being
called the hoist, height, or depth. That part of a flag which flutters
in the air, in contradistinction to that part near the mast, is also
called the fly. — 2. The card upon which are marked the points of
the compass.
Flying block. — A large flat block used in hoisting tackle of yards.
Flying jib. — A triangular sail set out beyond a jib or middle-jib.
(See Jib.)
Flying jib-b>om. — An extension of the jib-boom: only seen on
large vessels. (See under J IB).
Flying kites." — This popular expression has its origin at sea.
The smallest and highest sails are made of the lightest material,
for which reason they are called kites. Such are the smaller
studding sails and sky sails (sometimes spoken of as sky-scrapers).
When set they constitute the last stitch of canvas a ship can
carry, and she is then said to be "flying her kites." Hence,
when a person makes much show with little substance he may
be said to be " flying kites " ; and, in commerce, one who
86 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
makes much exposition of paper money without the wherewithal to
meet it, is worthy to be placed in the same categoiy.
Flyiiig start. — A start for a sailing match by boats which are
already under weigh, but which are required to be behind an
imaginary line when the signal to start is given.
Fly-to. — To luff up suddenly — i.e., to run head to wind suddenly.
Set flying. (See under that head.)
Fog. — Fog alarm. — " An audible signal warning vessels from
shoals or other dangerous places." ("Dictionary of Mechanics.")
They are of various forms, such as bell-buoys, trumpet-buoys, etc.
Fog -bell. — A bell struck at intervals by a vessel lying at anchor
in a fog. When a steamboat is in motion she sounds her fog-
horn— & large whistle blown by steam. (For the method of signal-
ling with these instruments, see under SIGNALS.)
Folding-boat. — A boat, the frame of which is collapsable and
capable of stowage in a small space. Various designs have been
patented, but in very few instances has the folding or collapsable boat
become popular.
Foot. — Generally speaking the lowest part of any object. 1. Of
a spar, the lowest end ; 2. Of a sail, the lower edge. The lower
weather corner of the foot (i.e., the end nearest the mast on a gaff
sail, or nearest the foremost point on a head sail) is called the tack,
the other corner being the clew.
Foot-boards. — The same as floor-boards (ivhich see).
Foot-rope. — The bolt rope along the foot of a sail.
Footwalings. — Narrow planks or battens laid along the timbers
(ribs) in the lowest part of a boat. They answer to the burdens in
large vessels and protect the skin from the weight of the ballast.
In open boats the footwaling often takes the place of the flat-floors.
Fore-foot. — The fore end of a ship's keel, upon which the stem-
post is stepped.
Fore. — Forepart (of a vessel). — Forward.
Fore-and-aft. — A term much used throughout this work, for it
describes one of the only two manners in which sails can be applied
to a vessel. The meaning of the term ' ' fore-and-aft " is, in the
direction of a line drawn from stem to stern of a vessel ; that is, from
the forward or fore to the after or aft part ; and such sails, yards,
and spars as are set in this direction constitute that which, among
sea-faring men, is known as fore-and-aft rig. Such sails as yachts
and sailing boats cany are fore-and-aft sails; and such as are set
in a direction across the ship are called square sails, constituting the
square rig of most merchantmen. (See RlG.)
Forecastle (pronounced fokesH). — Properly speaking, the for-
ward deck, which is often raised above the main deck ; hence its
name. The space beneath it is the cabin of the crew ; and this is
popularly called the forecastle. Monkey forecastle is another name
for a smaller forecastle or anchor deck. (See diagram under Deck.)
Forecourse. — In square rig, the lowest sail on the fore-mast.
It is sometimes called the fore-sail. (See COURSES.)
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 67
In shipbuilding and seamanship the following, among other terms,
are used : —
Fore-foot. — The fore end of a ship's keel, on which the stem-post
is stepped.
Fore-halyard, or foresail halyard. — The rope or halyard which
elevates the foresail. In fore-and-aft rig it has its origin at a
point near the mast head, from which it runs downwards towards
the stem-head of the boat, and passing through a movable block,
returns through a rixed block on the mast, to the deck, where it
belays, in small craft, usually on the starboard side of the mast.
When the foresail is to be set, its head is attached to the lower
block, which is furnished with a hook or clip-hooks, and the halyard
is hauled up taut. When it is to be taken in, this lower block is
brought down to the stem-head, where it is hooked, and the hal-
yards are then taughtened just enough to prevent the pendants, or
out-hanging portion, from swinging about.
Fore-hooks. — Strengthening timbers in the bow of a vessel, bind-
ing the other timbers together. (See BREAST-HOOK. )
Foreland. — A high piece of land jutting out into the sea, as the
North and South Forelands.
Fore-lock. — A sort of linch-pin or split- pin through the end of
a bolt to prevent it from getting out of position. Also the braces
of the rudder (which see).
Fore-lock hook. — In rope-making, a winch on a block by which
yarns are twisted into strands.
Foremast. — Generally the mast nearest the bow of a vessel.
In all tliree and four-masted ships the most forward is the foremast,
as it is also in such two-masted ones as the schooner, brigantine,
etc. But there are several rigs peculiar to smaller craft (such as
the ketch, yaiol, etc.), in which the forward mast is vastly taller
than the sternmost, and in such cases the forward one becomes
the main mast, the after one being called the mizzen, while the
foremast is absent.
Fore-peak. —A space in the bows of a vessel fore of the fore-
castle. The name is also sometimes applied to the forecastle itself,
when raised above the deck of a sailing ship.
Fore-rake. — So much of the forward inclination, or run, of the
stem of a vessel as overhangs the keel.
Fore-reach. — To overtake another vessel and reach ahead of her.
Fore-runner. — Usually a piece of bunting attached to a log-
line at a certain distance (measured in fathoms) from the lead. It
takes the place of a knot. (See Log.)
Foresail. — 1. In square rig usually the forecourse, though in
vessels which carry no forecourse it is the fore stay sail, and even
in ships, from the fact that the forecourse is not always set, the
fore stay sail is often called the foresail. 2. In fore-and-aft rig : —
In the schooner it is a gaff sail on the fore mast. In the cutter
and yawl it is a triangular sail extending from the lower mast
88 A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
head to the stem head, running by means of hanks, or a lacing, on
the forestay, and corresponding, therefore, with the forestay sail
of square or schooner rig. In the sloop it is often absent, the
fore stay being run out to the end of a fixed bowsprit, and carry-
ing a large jib which extends aft almost to the mast. The value
of a foresail lies in the fact that its effort is within the boat. This
gives it a power which, sometimes, in a fresh breeze, will bury a
boat's head, and in such a case it is as well to take it in, leaving the
jib as the only head sail. But it is in consequence of this power
that we are able to deduce the following :
Rule for working jibs and foresail. — When a vessel is going about,
the jib acts before the foresail, but its power is soon expended.
It is, therefore, brought over first (as soon as its effort is seen to
be finished) and sheeted home, Avhile the foresail (by laying aback)
completes the work of bringing the vessel's head round. This is
an operation requiring nice judgment and some little experience.
The mistake of bringing the head sails over too soon is particularly
to be avoided : it may almost be" said, indeed, that it is better to
be too slow than too quick ; though much, of course, must depend
upon the general behaviour of the craft.*
Balloon, foresail. — A large foresail used in racing and extending
aft, sometimes beyond the shrouds. (See Balloon Canvas.)
Fore-sheets. — The ropes which work the foresail. In square
rigged ships it is the aftermost of the ropes attached to the clews of
the fore course, the weathermost being the tack. But the foresail, in
fore-and-aft rigged vessels, being a head sail, running on afore stay,
and therefore corresponding to the forestay sail in a ship, is worked
by two sheets, or perhaps more correctly by a doubled sheet looped
at the bight (or bend) to the clew of the sail, and each half of which
is brought aft through fairleads on either side of the bows to be
helayed either amidships, or, in small boats, within reach of the
helmsman. In small craft the fore-sheets are usually distinguished
from the jib sheets by being thinner, running inside of and being
belayed forward of the jib sheets.* In fishing craft fore-sheets are
sometimes dispensed with, their place being taken hy pendants on the
leech of the sail ; the clew travelling on a horse, and the pen-
dants being made fast to the shrouds. This constitutes what is
called a "working foresail." A stopper knot should be made
at the end of each fore-sheet when it is rove through its fairleads,
to prevent them from being jerked away. A figure-of-eight knot
answers this purpose well, and is easily made. (See KNOT.)
Fore-shore. — That portion of a coast which lies beyond the
boundary of the land territory. It is usually covered at high
water. The foreshore in estuaries and rivers is often the property
of the lords of the manors adjoining it, otherwise it belongs to the
Crown.
* As an invariable rule the jib sheet runs aft outside the fore-sheet ; this,
indeed, is the outcome of necessity. It eould not well be brought inside Iwithout
sooner or later entangling itself with the foresail and sheet ; but the fact must be
particularly remembered by the beginner.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
89
Fore-stay. — The fore-stay is a rope, now almost always of wire,
running from the lower masthead to the stem of a vessel or to the
bowsprit end : its office being to prevent the mast from falling back-
ward under the weight of the sails. It is usually eye-spliced and
passed over the head of the mast and down to the shrouds.
The following relates to full-rigged ships : —
Fore-top-mast. — The first top-mast on the fore-mast. (See Mast.)
Fore-top-sail and yard. — The sail set on the fore-top-mast and sus-
pended on the fore-top-sail-yard.
Fore-top-mast-stay. — A rope, or stay, running from the fore-top.
mast head down to the bowsprit end, and supporting the mast from
being drawn backward.
Fore-top-mast-stay -sail. — /]
A jib-shaped sail set on the
fore - top - mast -stay. It is
often called the middle-jib.
Fore-top-gallant-mast (pro-
nounced "forty gam must ").
— The second top-mast on the
fore-mast. (See Mast. )
Fore - top -gallant - sail and
yard. — Tlie sail set on the
fore -top -gallant -mast, and
suspended on the fore- top-
gallant-yard.
Fore- top -gallant-stay. — A
stay running down from the
fore-top -gall ant -mast head
to the jib - boom - end, and
supporting the mast from
being drawn backward.
Fore-top -gallant-stay-sail.
— The sail set on the fore-
top - gallant - stay, but it Is
usually called & flying jib.
Foi'e • royal - mast. — The
third and usually the liighest
top-mast on the fore-mast.
(See Mast.)
Fore-royal -sail and yard.
— The sail set on the fore-
royal-mast, and suspended on the fore-royal-yard, which yard lowers,
or is " sent down " until it reaches the fore-top-gallant-yard, when
the sails are furled.
Fore-royal-stay.— A stay reaching from the fore-royal-masthead
to the end of the jib-boom, and supporting the mast from being
drawn backwards.
Fore-sky sail. — A sail sometimes set above the fore-royal. (See
Light Sails.)
1. Fore-mast.
2. Fore-top-mast.
3. Fore-top-gallant-
mast.
4. Fore-royal-mast.
5. Fore-course.
6. Fore-top-sail.
7. Fore-top-gallant-
sail.
8. Fore-royal-sail.
9. Fore-sky-sail.
10. Fore-stay.
11. Fore-stay-sail:
12. Fore-top-mast-stay.
13. Fore-top-mast-stay-
sail or inner jib.
14. Fore - top - gallant-
stay.
15. Fore- top - gallant-
stay -sail or tty-
ug-jib.
kid:
16. Middle-jib.
17. Fore-royal-stay.
90 A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEEMS.
Forge. — To force violently, as a ship over a shoal hy a great
press of sail.
To forge ahead. — To go on ahead of or gain upon another : or
simply to make good way.
Fork-beam. — In ship-building, a small forked beam introduced
for the support of a deck where a hatchway occurs.
Forming. — In shipbuilding, shaping partially converted timbers
so as to give them the desired form for building.
Forward. — In front of.
Forward part. — The fore-part, in the vicinity of the bows of a
vessel.
" Forward all!" (in rowing). — An order to rowers to stretch for-
ward, ready to take a stroke. The order is usually given preparatory
either to " go " or to " paddle."
Pother, or fodder. — A method of stopping a leak in a vessel
at sea : it may be done in various ways, but the principle of the
practice is to allow the current of water into the leak to carry so
great a quantity of small stuff (such as the threads of yarn or
oakum) with it as eventually to stop the leak. To effect this the
loose stuff must be lowered to the leak in a piece of sail cloth or some
other useful material and be allowed to remain there. There is no
doubt that vessels have been saved by this means ; but for small
craft there is a quicker method of stopping a leak, viz., by passing
down a piece of sailcloth, packed with old yarn or any other sub-
stance at hand, and drawing it, if the hole be large enough, into the
hole, or if it be too small, by fixing the cloth with ropes round the
boat.
Foul. — Unpleasant, as bilge water may be, or as the interior of
a fishing boat may become when she becomes infested with lice or
sea slugs. When any tackle or rope becomes entangled it is said to
be foul, as a foul hatvse, which is an entanglement of the cable of a
vessel.
Ford ground is dangerous ground for a vessel to ran upon, or
which affords bad anchorage.
Foul water. — When a ship conies into water so shallow that,
though she does not ground, she stirs up the mud beneath her,
she is said to make foul water.
Fold tvind. — Contrary wind, preventing a vessel from making way.
To ford. — To ran into anything, such as a. pier, a buoy, or
another boat, is to foul or " ran foul of it."
A foul. — In yacht and boat racing, to obstruct the progress of
any other competitor by unfair means or in any way to break the
rules under which the race is being contested, constitutes what
is called a ford.
Found. — A vessel or boat is said to be " all found " when she
has masts, rigging, and gear, and all other necessaries for going out,
and " well found when all these are good.
Founder. — To fill with water and sink.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
91
Four-masted Sailing Ship.
Four. — Fourcant (of a rope). — A rope of four strands.
Four-masted ship. — These sailing ships are not uncommon, and
may occasionally be seen in the
greater ports. Their peculiarity
consists in the fourth mast, which
is called the jigger mast. They
are full rigged with the jigger
mast bark- rigged. Many of the
large ocean - going steam ships
have now four masts, and one
large German sailing vessel, the
"Potosi, " has five. There is also a
class of vessels called four-masted
schooners, which are fore-and-aft rigged on all masts. These ships
hail mostly from America : they are very fast and close-winded.
Fox. — A sort of strand formed hy twisting up several rope-
yarns and using them as seizings, etc.
Spanish fox. — A seizing made up of a single rope yarn untwisted
and re twisted the reverse way.
Frame. — The frame of a vessel is its skeleton. The principal parts
will best be understood by reference to the accompanying diagrams.
Frames. — " The bends of timber constituting the shape of the
ship's body. When completed a ship is said to be in frame. "
Frame reel. — A frame upon which a fishing line is wound.
Frame timbers. — The parts of a futtock (which see), as the floor
timber, middle timber, top timber, etc.
In the accompanying diagrams the following constructive members
(parts of various types of vessels), described each under its own head-
ing, are illustrated. The Roman numbers refer to the figures ; the
italics to the situation of the members in the figures.
Apron, IV. g; VII.
B.
Beams (deck) I. w ; II. « ; IV. I ; V. ft ;
VII.
(hold), I. y.
Bent timbers, heads, or bent heads,
III. e. ; VI. e.
Bilge, I.
„ Bilge keel, III./; VI. I.
Bowsprit bitts, IV. r.
Breasthook, IV. ft ; V. g ; VI. /. VII.
.BitJwarfcs (quick work), I.t; II. p; V.l
C.
Carlines, IV. z; V. j.
Case, II. j.
Chocks, I. g.
Clamps, or sea-scarfs, I. ft.
Coaming, III. I.
Counter stay, IV. y.
Deadwoods, IV. d ; V. c.
Deck, I. v ; II. r. IV.
Deck-beams, I. w. (See also Beams.)
Fall home, I.
False Keel. (S« Kkki,.)
Fillets, II. e.
Flare, I.
Flat-floors, III. d\ IV. u; V. t ; VI. p.
Floor-boards, IV. v.
Floor-timbers, I. 2: V. s; VI. n.
Foot waling s, VI. m.
Freeboard, I.
Futtocks, 1. 1, 2, 3, 4 ; II. 1, 2, 3 ; V. n.
(See also Ground Futtock, Mid-
dle Futtock, Top Futtock.)
92
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
G.
Garboard strakes, 1. m, 2 ; II. g ; III. ;
V.p2.
Ground futtock, otherwise called
ground timber or first futtock ;
and, in the middle of a vessel the
navel futtock, I. 1 ; LL 1 ; V. 1.
Gunwale, II. in ; VL j.
„ Gunwale strake, III. h.
H.
Heads, otherwise called bent-heads,
or bent-timbers, III. e ; VI. e.
Head-sheets, VII. q.
Hold-beams, I. y.
I.
Inside planking. {See Lining.)
Inwale, VI. k.
K.
Keel, 1. o; II. a ; III. a; IV a;V.a;
VI. a.
„ False keel, I. c ; IV. c ; V. a 2.
,, Rebated keel, II.
,, Keel and garboard united, III.
Keelson, l.b.ll.b; III. b ; IV b ; V.
b ; VI. b.
„ Keelson rider, L d.
„ Side or sister keelsons, I. e .
Knees, II. d ; V. *.
,, Standard knees, L k.
„ Hanging knees, II. t.
Knighthead, IV. *; V./.
L.
Limber Boards, I. /. Sometimes the
same as the flat- floors (which
see).
„ Limber spaces, II. /; III. c ; V.
Lining, I I. ; VII.
M.
Mast, IV. m.
„ Mast-case, II. c; IV. p.
„ Mast-step, II. c ; IV. n.
Middle futtock, I. 2, 3; II. 2.
N.
JVaceZ futtock. (See Ground Fut-
tock.)
Nose, VI. d.
O.
Outside planking . (See Skin.)
P.
Pad piece, I. x.
Partners, IV. q.
Planking, inside (See Lining and
„ Outside. (Skin.)
Planksheer, I. r.
Q-
Quickwork. (See Bulwarks.)
R.
Bail, or rough-tree rail, I. u ; 11. qi
V. m.
Bebated keel, II.
Bibs, III. e ; IV. s ; V. n ; VII. (See
also Futtocks and Bent Timbers.)
Biders, I. 5, 6.
Bough-tree rail. (See Rail.)
„ timber. (See Stanchion.)
Bubbing piece, III. j. (See Wale.)
Saxboard, or gunwale strake, ILL h ;
Vl.flr.
Sea scarfs. (See Clamps.)
Seat. (See Thwakt.)
Sheer strokes, I. p.
Shelf. (See Stringer.)
Skin, I. m. ; II. h. ; VII.
Stanchion (Rough -tree timber, or
timber-head), 1. s; U.n; X.n 2.
Standard knees, I. k.
Stem, or stem-post, IV. e; V. d; VI.
c; VII.
„ Stem-head, IV. j: V. e.
„ Stemson, IV. /; VII.
„ Stem hand, IV. e 2.
Stern, or stern-post, IV. w.
,, Sternson, IV. w 2.
,, Stern seat, IV.
Strakes, I. m ; V. p.
„ Garboard strakes, I m 2; V. p 2 ;
„ Garboard and keel united, III.
,, Gunwale strake or saxboard,
III. h.
Sheer strakes, I. p.
„ Thick strakes, I. m 3 ; m 4.
Topmost strake, VI. p.
Stringers (or shelf), I. j ; II. * ; III.
m. IV. < ; V. r ; VI. r.
„ Carrying thwarts. (See Wir-
ing.)
Thick strakes, I. m 3 ; m 4.
Thwart, III. p ; IV.
Timber head. (See Stanchion.)
Top futtock or top-timber, 1. 4 ; II. 3.
Transom, IV. *.
U.
Upper deck beams, I. w.
W.
Wife, I. m 4 ; II. J ; V. q ; VI. h ; VII.
IVate/' ii»i«, I.
Water-ways, I. o ; III. k.
Weather-board, IV.
Wiring, III. II ; IV. « 2.
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS.
93
Fig. II.
w»<» »&>!•[-) Hn.ii-d * j-1
Fig. III.
Fir.. V.
94
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
thook
Fig. VI.
Fig. VII.
EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES.
Fig. I.— Half Midship Section of a Wooden Ship.
a. Keel ; 6. Keelson ; c. False Keel ;
d. Keelson rider ; e. Side or sister keel-
sons; /. Limber-boards; g. Chocks for
rilling up to planking; h. Clamps, or
sea scarfs; j. Shelf, or stringer; k.
[Standard knees ; I. Inside planking, or
lining ; m. Outside planking, or skin,
made up of strokes; in. 2. Garboard
strakes ; in 3. Thick strakes at bilge ; m 4.
Thick strakes above water line, called
wales ; p. Sheer strake ; q. Water ways ;
r. Planksheer; s. Stanchion, or rough
Fig. II.— Half Midship Section of a Strong Cruising Yacht, Double Planked.
tree timber ; t. Outside planking above
deck, called buhvarks or quickwork ;
it. Rail, or rough-tree rail; v. Deck ; w.
Upp_eE-4eck beams; x. Pad-piece; y.
Hold beams (i.e., the beams in the hold.)
Timbers.
1. Floor timber, ground futtock or
navel futtock (1st futtock); 2. 2nd
Futtock; 3. 3rd Futtock (middle fut-
tocks); 4. Top timber (4th futtock);
5,6. Riders.
a. Keel; b. Keelson; c. Mast-step; d
Knee ; e. Fillets ; /. Limber spaces ; g.
Garboard strakes; h. Skin; j. Case; k.
Stringers ; I. Wale ; in. Gunwale ; n.
Stanchion, or timber-head ; p. Bulwark
planking_ ; q. Rail ; r. Deck ; s. Beam ;
t. Hanging knee.
Timbers.
1 Ground futtock; 2. Middle fut-
tock; 3. Top -timber.
Fig. III.— Half Midship Section of an Open Sailing-Boat.
a. Keel ; b. Keelson ; c. Limber spaces ; the gunwale) ; k. Water-way (side deck) ;
d. Flat floor ; e. Bent timber, head, or I. Coaming ; in. Stringer ; n. Wiring
bent head (rib) ; /. Bilge keel ; g. (stringers carrying thwarts) ; p. Thwart
Planking; h. Saxboard, or gunwale (seat),
strake; j. Rubbing piece (the edge of
Fig. IV.— Longitudinal Section
a. Keel; 6. Keelson; c. False keel;
d. Deadwoods (stem and stern) ; e.
stem-post ; e 2. Stem-band ; /. Stemson ;
g. Apron; h, Breasthook; j. Stem-head;
'k. Knighthead; I. Beams; ra. Mast;
n. Mast-step ; p. Mast-case ; q. Partners ;
Fig. V.— Part Frame
o. Keel ; a 2. False keel ; b. Keelson ;
c. D3adwood; d. Stem-post; e. Stem-
liead; /. Knighthead; g. Breasthook;
h. Beams; j. Carlines; k. Knees; I.
Bulwark planking ; m. Rough-tree rail ;
of a Half-Decked Sailing-Boat.
r. Bowsprit bitts ; s. Ribs, or tim-
bers ; t Stringers; t 2. Wiring (string-
ers carrying tlvwarts); it. Flat floors;
v. Floor boards; w. Stern-post; w 2.
Starnson ; x. Transom ; y. Counter staj ;
z. Carline.
of a Fishing Vessel.
ii. Futtocks (ribs); n 2. Stanchion, or
timber head ; p. Strakes ; p 2. Gar-
board strakes ; q. Wale ; r. Stringers ; s.
Foot-timbers ; t. Flat floors. 1, Ground
futtock.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 95
Fig. VI.— Part Frame of an Open Boat.
a. Keel ; b. Keelson ; c. Stem ; d. bing piece ; j. Gunwale ; k. Inwale ; I.
Nose ; e. Bent heads, heads, or bent Bilge Keel ; m. Foot walings ; n. Floor
timbers; f. Breasthook; g. Saxboard timbers; p. Flat floors; q. Head sheets;
(the topmost strake); h. Wale, or rub- r. Stringers.
Fig. VII.— (l) Section of Stem-post and Apron.
(2) Stem and Breasthook.
Frapping. — In emergency, the bracing together of ropes so
as to increase their tension. The term also sometimes signifies the
binding up of anything with ropes to prevent its bursting, a practice
which, as applied to ships, appears to be very ancient, for St. Luke
mentions, in his description of St. Paul's voyage (Acts xxvii., 17),
that " they used helps, undergirding the ship." But the practice is
extinct : Falconer, writing more than a century since, describes it
even then as a remnant of the floating coffins. The word frap still
exists, however, meaning " to bind " or " draw together. At sea
the /rapping <s of the shrouds (to the masts) are called cat-harpings.
Fray.— To become torn at the edge, as of a sail ; or untwisted,
as of a rope.
Free. — Sailing free. — Sailing with the wind abaft the beam.
Freeboard. — That portion of the vessel's side which is " free "
of the water ; that is, which is not submerged. Its extent is
measured from the load water line to the deck where the distance
is shortest. (See diagrams under FRAME.)
Freight. — The sum of money paid for the hire of a vessel or
part of her is her freightage. Hence that which she carries has come
to be regarded as her freight.
French. — The word " freshen " is sometimes pronounced
" Frenchen " as in frenchen hawse, etc.
French f alee. — A species of Flemish coil (which see).
Fresh. — Fresh breeze or fresh gale. — That which on shore might
be called a high wind. Thus the wind may be said to be blowing
fresh.
Freshen, freshen tip. — To slacken off, as of a rope.
Freshen hawse. — To let the cable veer out a little. The term is
a relic of the days of rope cables, which, being always liable to
chafe and wear bare at the hawse holes, were constantly being
freshened. They were served with canvas or leather ; but this serving
being quickly worn through required constant fresh application of
the service (binding material) ; and this was called freshening.
Fresh way. — When a vessel increases her speed she is said to get
fresh way.
Fret. — To chafe.
Frigate. — In the modern meaning a full-rigged ship. (See
Full-rigged Ship.) The old first-class line of battle ships, in the
days of our wooden walls, were full-rigged, with three decks, while
96 A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
the frigates had hut two ; and this appears to have heen their dis-
tinguishing mark, for they also were full-rigged. A frigate was
supposed to be a fast sailing vessel for cruising alone, or in company
with only one or two others, or for escorting merchantmen, and was
not a line of battle ship. Some of the ironclad ships built in later
years, though powerful steam vessels, were of this rig, as are also
many of the fine merchantmen trading with the colonies to-day.
The old East Indiamen were often frigate-built. This, according
to Falconer, " implies the disposition of the decks of such merchant-
ships as have a descent of four or five steps from the quarter -deck
and forecastle into the waist, in contradistinction to those whose decks
are on a continued line for the whole length of the ship, which are
called galley built."
Frigatoon.— The original frigate is said to have been a Medi-
terranean vessel, propelled by both oars and sails. At a later time
a frigatoon is described as " a Venetian vessel built with a square
stern ; without any foremast ; having only a main mast, a mizzer
mast, and bolt-sprit, used in the Adriatick Sea" (Bailey's Dictionary);
Smyth describes this vessel as having main and jigger masts and
bowsprit, with square stern.
Frost lamp. — A lamp at one time used in light-houses ; its ad-
vantage being that the oil was kept running in cold weather.
Full.— A sail is said to be full when every inch of it is drawing.
Hence, keep her full will mean keep her drawing ; or, in other
words, do not go too close to the wind.
Full and by the wind. — Sailing with the wind ahead of the
beam. (See under C LOSE-HAULED. )
Full-rigged ship; ship; or
frigate. — A ship having three
masts with their full complement
of sails, or, in other words, hav-
ing royal masts. Until the intro-
duction of four - masted sailing
ships, the " ship " hail all the
masts, sails, spars, etc., that it
was possible to carry. In modern
times the name "Frigate" has full-rigg^u.p.
been given to these ships.
Fumigate. — It is the practice to fumigate certain craft, such
as fishing vessels, from time to time, when they become infested
with vermin. Enormous lice often swarm in these boats, and^must
be smoked out by lighting a fire over which sulphur and tar or
sulphur alone is thrown, and shutting down the hatches for a con-
siderable length of time.
Funnel (of a steam boat). — The chimney for carrying off the
smoke, often called the smoke stable. But it also plays an important
part in creating a draught for the furnacss, and in later times has
sometimes been made telescopic, so as to regulate this draught.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
97
Funny.
Funny.— A narrow sculling boat, pointed bow and stem, and
open throughout, accommodating only one person, and at one time
employed in sculling matches :
it was usually clincher-built.
The funny was never a snccess-
ful type of boat, being very
difficult to keep steady, and
was quickly superseded by the
whiff, and that again by the wager or best boat.
Furl. — To roll a sail and confine it to its yard or boom.
Furling lines. — Short ropes which are used to secure a sail to the
yard or boom, when furled. They are also called gaskets and ties.
" Furling in a body is a particular method of rolling up a topsail,
>nly practised in harbours, and is performed by gathering all the
oose part of the sail into the bunt, about the top-mast, whereby the
ard appears much thinner and lighter than when the sail is furled
ver all at sea. " (Falconer.)
Furniture. — The masts and rigging of a vessel with all acces-
iories constitute that which is sometimes called its furniture.
Futtock.— This term is evidently derived from the lowest part,
ov/ool, of a timber, and from the hooked shape of the piece ; hence,
/•jot-hook (a hook, in shipbuilding, being anything bent or incur-
vated). In shipbuilding, a futtock is one of the members com-
posing the ribs of a vessel. The ribs of large ships cannot be made
of one piece, as can those of open boats ; they consist, therefore, of
several pieces or members, scarfed together, each one being called a
"futtock." The lowest of these is the floor timber, also called the
ground futtock or (amidships)
the navel futtock ; the one
above it is the second futtock ;
above that, if there be one,
the third futtock ; and the top-
futtock is the top-timber. Thus
the floor timber, the middle
timbers, and the top timber are
all, properly speaking, futtocks.
Futtock-plank. — The ground
futtock, or floor-timber, lies
above the keel, and upon it ™ ESTIE TR£r
rests the keelson, which is bolted
through to the keel. On each
.side are the bilge planks (both
inside and out), that one near-
est the keel on each side being
called the " futtock - plank. "
(See diagram under FRAME.)
Futtock-plate (in rigging). —
Apart from any connection with
the futtocks forming the ribs of Futtock-plate.
FUTTOCK
PLATE
98
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
a ship, the masts of large vessels are sometimes furnished with an
apparatus called the futtoclc-plate and shrouds. It consists of an
iron plate at the masthead, set athwart the ship ; and its use is to
extend the topmast shrouds, thus (like the channels to the lower
mast) giving lateral support to the topmast.
Futtoclc stave. — A short piece of rope hy which the shrouds are
confined at the cat harpings.
G.
Gaff (usually pronounced garf or garft). — The spar which
extends the head (or upper portion) of a fore-and-aft sail, such as the
mainsail of a cutter. A sail suspended hy a gaff is called a gaff sail, in
contradistinction to a sail suspended by a yard, which is a square sail.
The form and gear of a gaff are as follows (see fig.): — The lower end
is furnished with yaw* (sometimes called hounds) made of hard wood,
sometimes metal ; and in large yachts a clapper, or tumbler, is fitted
between them to prevent chafing ; this portion of the spar being called
lain
,icll y<x^ot
*** .Hal
>«LT«€*
^SS>»^-BSS£
OAT
''•Man.* kaljard. toltr
TricitLq litit
PfAfc
Gaff.
the clip. The jaws partially encircle the mast, the circle being com-
pleted by a rope on which several round beads of hard wood, called
trucks, have been threaded ; this is the parrel, which allows the gaff
to be raised and lowered without jamming. The upper end of the
gaff is called the peak ; the lower the throat. It is hauled up by two
halyards, the one being fixed to the throat, and therefore called the
throat halyard (or, in single masted boats, simply the main-
halyard) ; the other usually at two in pots further up the spar for
elevating the peak, and for that reason designated the peak-halyard.
In raising the sail these two halyards are hauled on together, so
that the gaff may go up in a position almost horizontal ; and when
the clip is well up the peak is set tip, and swigged upon to make
the sail hang flat : in large vessels, a tackle is employed for this
latter purpose. In each case these halyards pass through blocks, the
number of sheaves in which varies according to the power necessary
for lifting the sail. The block through which runs the throat
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
99
halyard is often attached to the gaff hy a double-eyed bolt called the
main-halyard bolt, the lower eye being underneath, and carrying
on it another smaller block, through which another rope is rove
communicating with the tack of the
sail ; this is the tricing -line, and its
object is to pull or trice up the luff
of the sail, so as quickly to reduce
the area it presents to the wind.
The peak-halyard blocks are carried
in large vessels by spans, which are
kept from slipping by small excre-
scences called spurs or thumb cleats.
' Over the guy-end (after-end) of the
gaff is fitted a cap, or end-ring, with
eyes. The ring prevents the spar
from splitting, while the eyes serve
to carry small blocks, one for the
topsail sheet, another for the peak-
line, a thin rope used sometimes
for hauling down the peak, but
mostly as a flag halyard, the ensign
or some other flag being often
hoisted at the peak as a signal. In
small craft and yachts, the gaff is
always lowered and stowed away
with the boom, the peak-halyards
being unshackled when the sail
cover is put on, and then replaced
by hooking the blocks to slings
which pass under the boom and
round the cover. But in vessels
of larger class it is often set with-
out the sail. And as, in such a case, it will naturally sway back-
wards and forwards, ropes are stretched from the guy end of the
peak to the sides of the vessel ; these ropes being called vanes or
vangs ; The sprit of a barge is always steadied by vangs.
The mainsail of a cutter, sloop, yawl, etc., being set up, it may
be desirable to add another sail above it, which is known as agaff-top-
sail, and is elevated by means of a halyard passing through a sheave
or block, attached near the head of the topmast, and the foot of
which is stretched along the gaff, whence the name. In this sense
any topsail on a gaff may be termed a gaff-topsail, but, for con-
venience in distinguishing the shape, each has its name, as jack
topsail, sometimes called a donkey topsail ; jib-headed, or working
topsail ; spinnaker topsail ; and on a yacht, a brig topsail ; by the
last being generally understood a species of standing lug, extended
over the main. (See under Topsails.)
Gain the wind (of another ship). — To get to windward of her.
Gale. — The term as used at sea has a different meaning from that
usually understood by it ashore. It means a continuous wind, of
ir 2
100
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS.
which there may be several degrees, — 1. a fresh gale; 2. a strong
gale ; 3. a heavy, hard, or ichole gale. " Half a gale " is a popular
term among seamen, who mean by it as strong a wind as can blow.
Gallant. — From "Garland" {which see), hence the usual pro-
nunciation of the word, " Garn, " as t'gam for top-gallant. The
word has considerable use at sea. {See Mast, Sail, Stays, Top,
Deck, etc.)
Galleon. — A name formerly given to ships of war having three
or four batteries. Later applied by the Spaniards to their large
merchantmen. To-day sometimes used in talking of any heavy
looking craft.
Galley. — 1. The cook-house of a ship. 2. A big boat.
Bow galley. — An open boat with six or eight oars, used by custom
house officers, etc., but the word is dropping out of use.
Galliot (pronounced by the fishermen "galley-yacht"). — A
Dutch vessel of remarkable type. She is very long and narrow,
and may reach to 100 tons burden.
She is fore-and-aft rigged with
two masts, main and mizzen, the
latter being little more than a
jigger, and answering the same
purpose as the same sail does in
our own sailing barges ; that is
to assist the rudder in getting the
vessel round ; and for this pur-
pose it works with the rudder.
But the galliot is principally peculiar in the form of her mainsail,
the foot of which is enormously long, while the head is extremely
short. The vessel is now rare.
Gallows-bitts. — On ships, a frame for the support of spars,
boats, etc. : the form is supposed to have resembled a gallows.
Galvanizing. — Nearly all iron fittings to sailing craft are now
galvanized, the process being very cheap, and its effect as a preserva-
tive against rust lasting a long time. Articles to be galvanized are
first pickled, that is immersed in weak sulphuric acid and water
(about 1 per cent, of acid); they are then washed in lime water, and
afterwards placed in a bath of chloride of zinc for a few minutes.
When dry they are continually dipped in melted zinc (wliich should
not be at too great a heat) until a sufficient coating has adhered, any
excess being removed by ham-
mering or wire- brushing while
still hot.
Gammoning. — In ships the
fastening and lashing down of
the bowsprit. {See fig.)
Gammoning holes. — The holes
through which the ropes used
in lashing the bowsprit pass:
(See fig.)
Galliot.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 101
Gammoning -iron. — A ring, bolted to the stem head of a sailing
boat, and through which the bowsprit passes. It does away with
the necessity of gammoning. (See under BOWSPRIT.)
Gang. — A number of men employed on any particular service.
Gang board. — A board used for getting on board a vessel from a
quay or pier. I
Gangway. — 1. A narrow platform or bridge passing over
from one deck of a vessel to another. 2. That part of a ship's
bulwarks which are removable so that persons can walk on board by
a gang board. 3. A narrow passage left between the stowage of
cargo in a ship to allow of a man going down to make examinations.
Garboard. — The lowest part of a vessel.
Garboard strakes (sometimes called garboards in shipbuilding).
— The lowest strakes in a vessel, which abut upon the keel. They
are also called the ground or sand strakes. (See diagrams under
Frame.)
Garland. — A ring of rope placed round a spar for the purpose of
moving it, as, for instance, when swaying a heavy mast. Other-
wise a collar of rope wound about the head of a mast to keep the
shrouds from galling. A garland in ancient days was a rope used
in swaying the topmasts. Hence, when a mast was added to ships
above the topmasts, it was called a garland mast ; and the word be-
coming corrupted, eventually resolved itself into "gallant," in
writing, though the original pronunciation "garn" has been pre-
served amongst seamen in speaking to this day.
Garnet. — A short line attached to the claw of a lower square
sail or course. (See C LEW-GARNETS, under Clew.)
Gas-buoy. — A large buoy, on the margin of a shoal or channel,
upon which a gas light is always burning.
Gaskets. — Small cords by which a sail when furled is kept bound
up to a yard, boom, or gaff; there are several, as the bunt-gasket,
the quarter -gasket, the yard-arm-gasket. They are also called ties
and furling lines. The gasket, in a steam engine, is the hempen
plait used for packing pump pistons, etc.
Gather. — To draw in, as of a sheet.
To gather way. — To increase speed in sailing.
Gatt. — A channel in an open piece of water, as the " Fishermen's
Gatt " in the estuary of the Thames. The word is Low German.
A gatt must not be confounded with a gut, which is only a small
waterway, whereas a gatt may be a sheet of water many miles in
length.
Ganntlet (properly gant-lope). — Running the gauntlet. — A form
of punishment for an offence revolting to the feelings of the whole
crew of a vessel, and therefore giving to every member an opportunity
of visiting his own peculiar displeasure upon the offender. It con-
sisted in making a man pass down between the whole crew formed
up in two lines facing each other, each man being furnished with a
rope -end with which he slashed at the offender as he passed. The
punishment is long since extinct, if indeed it ever existed as a
102 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
recognised practice ; but it is from this origin that we have the
popular expression " running the gauntlet."
Gear. — A general term which may mean rigging, tackle, ropes,
belonging to a spar or sail, or indeed any part of the working ap-
paratus of a vessel, as the gear of the helm, which consists of the
wheel, the tiller, the chains, the blocks, and all other necessary parts.
Gearing in machinery is the method of transmitting, increasing,
or altering the direction of power, as by cog or gearing -wheels.
Out of gear. — Out of order, or if with reference to gearing in
machinery, the act of stopping power in some part while another part
is still working is to throw that part which is stopped " out of gear."
Gib. — Another word for a pin or forelock (a pin through a bolt).
Gift rope. — (See Guest
EOPE. )
Gig. — An open boat, usu-
ally clincher - built, with a
straight sheer and upright
stem and gunwale. It is Gig.
one of the boats belonging
to a ship, as the captain's gig. At one time the gig was very
popular on the Upper Thames, but has now been almost entirely
superseded by the skiff.
Gin.— (See Gyn.)
Gimbals. — The brass rings which suspend a compass so as to
keep it horizontal. (See COMPASS.)
Girdle. — A rope round anything, as a /rapping. Also an extra
planking occasionally placed over the wales in old wooden ships.
Girt. — Bound. A vessel riding under taughtened cables, which
hold her by the sides, is said to be girt.
Girt line (sometimes called the gaut bine). — A rope used to hoist
up a mast or its rigging.
Give. — The elasticity which every boat should possess, under
strain and shrinkage, is called the give. Every member in the build-
ing of a vessel is allowed a certain play, or in other words is allowed
to " work. " This adds not only to the strength and endurance of a
vessel, but also to her speed ; and it is said that so well was this
recognised of old that pirates have been known, when hard pressed
in chase, to saw through the beams of their boats for the sake of the
extra speed to be gained. If a boat have no give, the strain upon
her will be much increased, and she will the sooner become leaky.
Give her sheet. — Ease off the sheet.
Give way (in rowing). — Begin pulling.
Give over. — To stop or cease doing anything.
Glut. — " A patch at the centre of the head of the sail, having an
eyelet for the becket rope." (" Dictionary of Mechanics.")
Go. — Go! — The order to start, in racing : it is generally pre-
ceded by the question, " Are you ready?" and if no answer is given,
the word " Go " follows almost immediately.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
103
Go about (in sailing). — To come round head to wind, so as to come
on the other tack. (See Tack.)
Go by. — To give a person the go hy is to pass, overtake or escape
from him.
Go a-head! — Go on ! order on steamers to start the engine forward.
Going free. — In sailing, the same as sailing free or large. (See
Sailing Free.)
Gondola. — A Venetian boat.
" 'Tis a long covered boat that's common here,
Carved at the prow, built lightly but compactly,
Rowed by two rowers, each called 'Gondolier,'
It glides along the water looking blackly,
Just like a coffin clapt in a canoe,
Where none can make out what you say or do. — "
(Byron—" Beppo.")
Gone. — Broken away ; spoken of any sail or spar on a vessel.
Gone. — A common way of expressing that some person has sunk,
if drowning, or under any other circumstances to give notice of
death without the necessity of using the word. In this sense the
term is much used amongst seafaring folk.
Goodgeons (Goodgeons and pintles). — The fittings of a rudder to
its stempost. The goodgeons (pro-
nounced gudgeons), also called braces,
are those bands of iron, terminating in
eyes (and secured sometimes to the
rudder, sometimes to the sternpost, and
•sometimes one on each) into which the
pintles are inserted. The pintles are
the long hooks which fall into the
goodgeons. This arrangement allows
the rudder to swing freely, and to he
unshipped or shipped as may be re-
quired. (See diagram under KuDDER. )
Goose (Gooseneck and shaffle). —
The fitting of a boom to a mast by
means of a kind of pin or hook at the
heel of a boom which fits into a ring or short
cylinder on the mast. The pin is called the
gooseneck, probably because it is — (in its
simplest, hook form) so curved as somewhat
to resemble the neck of a goose or swan.
The ring which receives it is the shaffle.
But a boom is also frequently fitted with
jaws (as in a gaff) which partly encircle the
mast, and in this case there is usually a ring
or shoulder called a saddle on the mast
which prevents the boom from sliding down.
In either case the complete fitting may be
called the boom-stays.
Goosewing. — The shape of a square sail, Goosewing.
104 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
when the bunt (middle part) is hauled up while the clews (lower
corners) hang. This is supposed to resemble the wings of a goose,
and hence a sail so disposed is called a goosewing. This may be
done when it is required to reduce sail without reefing, as in heavy
weather or for scudding. Studding sails are also occasionally
called goosewings.
Gore. — A small piece sometimes introduced at the corner of a,
sail, or an increase in the depth or width of any of the cloths.
Gore strake. — In shipbuilding an angular piece of planking or a
strake terminating short of the stem or stem posts.
Gorge (of a block). — The groove or score in the sheave (wheel) of
the block.
Graft. — To graft is to taper the end of a rope by weaving yarn
round it. It may also mean to join two ropes together by splicing
and weaving over.
Granny knot. — A knot improperly tied, i.e., One which will slip
or come undone when hauled upon. The term may be applied to
any knot, but is generally understood to refer to the reef knot.
The tying a granny is regarded, among yachting or boating amateurs,
as an unforgivable sin. It will be well, therefore, for the
beginner to become familiar with a few of the knots in most frequent
use before venturing aboard a sailing boat. (See KNOTS.)
Grapnel. — A small anchor of several arms or claws arranged in
a circular manner at the end of the shank. It is mostly used by
small craft, though sometimes as a hedge (which see). Very small
ones are called hand grapnels. In old times the grapnel, or, as it
was then called, the grapple or grappling iron, was used by ships in
close action for seizing the rigging of an enemy's vessel and dragging
the two together preparatory to boarding. Grappling irons are of
various forms, and are still used for various purposes, as for
holding vessels together when unloading, etc. (See fig. under
Anchor. )
Gratings. — 1. (At sea). — Open-work or trellised frames placed
over hatchways or lights in rough weather. 2. (In boats). — Open
work coverings to any part, such as stern or head sheets, etc. They
are ornamental as well as useful in allowing a free circulation of air
to reach all parts of a boat.
Grave. — To clean a ship's bottom, as by breaming, which is burn-
ing the accumulation off her.
Graving dock. — A dock in Avhich graving may be done. A dry
dock.
Great out. — An expression made use of by fishermen when
the sea recedes to a more than usual extent during spring -tides.
Green (Green hand or green horn). — A new hand, or a lubberly
fellow.
Green heart. — A wood imported from the West Indies and much
used in the making of piers, etc., for fendei piles. It was also
originally employed for the pins of blocks.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
105
Grid-iron. — A skeleton framework of wood upon which a vessel
may be supported when it is necessary to have the bottom of her
inspected, as after she has taken the ground.
Grip (of an oar). — The part gripped by the hand. {See Oar.)
Gripe (in sailing). — The hold a vessel takes of the water when
under sail, or, in other words, her tendency to run up into the wind.
If she carries considerable weather helm she is said to gripe well ; this,
however, may be carried to excess. (Sec WEATHER Hklm.)
Gripe (in shipbuilding). — The fore foot or fore end of the keel of a
ship on which the stem is set ; or, in other words, the sharpness of her
stem underwater ; which is made thus in order to gripe the water.
Gripes (on shipboard) are the extra ropes and gear by which
boats are made secure in heavy weather.
Grommet (pronounced " grummet "). — A ring of rope ; or a loop
formed at the end of a rope
by unlaying the strands,
turning the end over and
splicing it into the open
strands; and sometimes the
splice is bound with yarn :
this may be made to fit
over a spar and to carry
a block. Where only small
grommets are required,
metal rings or eyelets
called thimbles are usu-
ally inserted into the loop.
Ground. — To ground is
to ran aground, or ashore. If this takes place with a yacht or big
boat when the tide is rising, the consequences will not be very serious.
With the aid of her sails and sweeps she will soon float. But should
the tide be falling, not a moment is to be lost. Her sails are so to
be set that she may be backed off as the wind Alls them. The best
way to effect this when the wind blows off the shore, is to haul one
or both of the head sails (jib and foresail) over to windward, and to
hold the main sail out in the same direction. The sweeps or a pole
may be used to help her off at the same time, but nothing is so
efficacious as the sails, until she moves, when sweeps may be of the
utmost service. If she does not move within a very few minutes,
there is little chance of her coming off until the tide flows again.
Ground swell. — At sea, an undulation of the waters caused by a
continuance of heavy gales. Such ground swells are transmitted
with great rapidity, even against the wind, and sometimes to great
distances; they indicate, by their direction, the quarter in which a
gale has taken place, and have been known to come from various
directions at the same time. The swell or wash (see Wash) caused
by a passing steam or other large boat is sometimes called a ground
swell. This is not, strictly speaking, correct, although it is cer-
tainly the case that a steamboat occasionally does, in certain states
Grommets.
106 A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
of the tide, create in narrow channels (such as a river) a true ground
swell, which may often be seen coming up some considerable distance
behind her, even against a strong run of tide. This is not her wash,
and it may even be doubted whether it is in any way caused by her
wash ; it is more probably the result of her draught, considered in
connection with the depth (or rather, want of depth) of water in which
she is travelling, and the speed at which she goes. Her wash may be
followed all along the shore, subsiding as she disappears ; some
minutes after which the ground swell will be seen coming up, wave
after wave, not drawing the water up to it and breaking upon the
shore as does the wash, but continuing its uninterrupted course, often
gathering strength as it goes. These swells in rivers are sometimes
very dangerous to small boats, and care should therefore be taken
not to meet them broad-side. Care should, indeed, always be taken
in meeting a steam-boat, as at all other critical moments.
Ground taekle. — The name sometimes applied to the gear belong-
ing to moorings, anchors, and such like ground implements.
Ground futtoeh. — {See FuTTOCK. )
Grow.- — An expression made -use of to describe the position of
some of the rigging of a ship, as " the cable grows on the star-
board side, " i.e., runs out on that side.
Growing. — New boats are said to grow, i.e., to become larger when
placed in the water ; so that after a year or two there is a measurable
difference in their form ; and for this reason they are seldom copper
sheathed until they have been in the water a year or two.
Grown spar, or ri'lcer. — A spar made out of an entire small tree,
not cut out of a large one. These are always much to be desired
for small craft, being superior to the made spars.
Groyne. — A timber construction (sometimes strengthened
with stone) on a beach, running out into the sea or from a river
bank, and sometimes set in the direction of the main current. It is
often called a breakwater {which see), though improperly, for its object
is not so much to break the force of the waves as to create a natural
breakwater by accumulating a quantity of shingle or sand, thereby
elevating the level of the beach and preventing the encroachment
of the sea. " A groyne
is, in fact, a projection "^^^^^^^S
that is carried out from
the banks of the sea, or
of a river, in a direc-
tion perpendicular to, or
occasionally inclined to
the set of, the current ;
and it is supposed to
act in the first case by
retaining the shingle,
which has a tendency
to move in the direction of the prevailing wind ; and in the latter,
by diverting the channel in the direction required." (Brande and
Cox.) Some engineers are of opinion that these constructions,
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS. 107
unless placed so close together as to throw up almost a con-
tinuous wall, do more harm than good hy creating a back current
on the down side which carries with it the shingle or earth they
are intended to accumulate.
Gudgeons. — (See Goodgeons. )
Guest rope, guess rope, or guest warp.— A rope used to
steady a boat in tow. It is an addition to the tow rope. Also
called chest rope and gift rope.
Gun-tackle-— Originally the tackle applied to a gun. It
is a tackle composed of two single blocks, one movable, the other
fixed, the standing end of the fall (rope) being fast to the movable
block. It increases the power three-fold.
Gun tackle purchase. — -In sailing yachts the tackle applied in
drawing down the tack of the mainsail is sometimes thus called.
Gunter. — Gunter's scale. — "A large plain scale having various
bines of numbers engraved on it, by means of which questions in
navigation are resolved with the aid of a pair of compasses. It is
usually called the gunter by seamen." (Brande and Cox.)
Sliding gunter. — A peculiar sail adapted to boats. In place of a
gaff it has a yard sliding up and down the mast.
Gunwale (pronounced "gunnel"). — It would appear from the
name (gun wale) that this portion of a boat must have originally
served to support small guns. The gunwale in vessels rests upon
the wale (which see). In an open
boat it is the top of, or a piece run-
ning round above, the sax board. In
it, at correct intervals, are holes for
the rowlocks or tholes. The inwale
(where it exists) is beneath the gun-
wale, supporting it, within-board, on
the bent-heads (ribs) ; and on the
outside is sometimes fixed another
strengthening plank, then called the rubbing piece or wale. In such
boats as the Thames skiffs, where the sides rise up, bike wings, to
eacli rowlock, there is, properly speaking, no gunwale.
The gunwale str alee (in open boats the saxboard) is the uppermost
strake of a boat. To it the gunwale is fixed.
Gunwale down or gunwale to. — When a boat casts over so that
her gunwale touches the surface of the water.
Gut. — A small channel, such as may be left by the tide on an
ebb-dry foreshore. (See also GATT.)
Gutter-ledge. — A crossbar placed along the middle of a large
hatchway to support the covers and give them strength to carry any
weight. (See diagram under HATCH.)
Guy. — A steadying or stay-rope, as the guy of a crane which
steadies its arm as it swings a weight. In sailing boats, it is a rope
which serves to keep a sail or spar in trim — i.e., in the desired posi-
tion — as the guy of a spinnaker, which keeps that sail forward.
A slack rope extending between two masts, and carrying a block or
tackle, is also called a guy.
108 A DICTIONAKY OP SEA TEEMS.
Guy end. — That end of a spar to which a guy is or may be fixed.
The spar is then said to be " guyed. "
Spinnaker, fore or after guy, are the names sometimes given to the
ropes or tackles which haul the spinnaker boom forward or back ;
but they should more properly be called the spinnaker boom braces.
(See under SPINNAKER.)
A guy pennant, sometimes termed a lazy guy, is a rope occasion-
ally used to keep a boom from jerking up and down, in a rolling sea ;
it must be so fastened round the boom that it can be let go at a
moment's notice.
In ships there are various guys.
Gybe. — The swinging over of a fore-and-aft sail when running
before the wind. This may be done purposely when slightly
altering the boat's course, in which case care should be taken that
the jerk of the boom and sail is not too severe ; or it may happen by
accident and almost instantaneously, in which case there is danger
of carrying something away. Gybing may take place with the
slightest variation of the wind or of the boat's course, and should,
therefore, be constantly looked out for. When it happens unex-
pectedly, the helmsman who may be fortunate enough to see it
coming, should rapidly gather in his main sheet, putting his helm
hard down at the same time : the jerk may by this means be, to a
certain extent, taken off the mast and stays, and the sheet can then
be let out again as required. Beginners are often too apt to let
their sail gybe : it is, in yachts, a very dangerous practice.
In large racing yachts, however, gybing is often accomplished in
that which would appear to be a most reckless manner. The boom
is allowed to fly round amain, and without any check, its weight
as it swings over so bending down the boat that the boom strikes the
water and thus saves itself.
Gyn. — A hoisting machine on three tall legs, and fitted with a sort
of windlass?, and one block, called the gyn block. (See Block.)
Gyn tackle. — A system consisting of a movable double and a
triple block, the standing end of the fall (i.e., the fixed end of the
rope) being fast to the double block. It increases the power five-
fold.
Haft. — The handle of a tool, knife, etc.
Hail. — To salute, accost, call out to, or make a sign to any
person.
Hake's teeth, or hag's teeth. — "A phrase applied to some
part of the deep soundings in the British Channel. But it is a
distinct shell-fish, being the dentalium, the presence of which is a
valuable guide to the Channel pilot in foggy weather." (Smyth.)
Hale. — To hale, in old nautical phraseology, is to pull : hence
the word became confounded with and eventually corrupted into
haul (which see).
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
109
Half Deck.
Half. — Half beams. — In a ship, short beams extending from the
sides only to the hatchways.
Half-breadth plan. — In shipbuilding, the plan of one half of a
vessel divided by a centre line drawn through stem and stern posts.
It shows water, bow, buttock, and diagonal lines. (See LINES.)
Half-breadth staff", or rod. — In shipbuilding, a rod having marked
upon it the half-lengths of the beams of a vessel. It is very
precisely measured from the half-breadth plan.
Half davit. — The fish davit [which see) is sometimes thus called
because it is only a short davit.
Half deck. — In ships, a space in the fore part of a vessel. In
some of the old Northumbrian colliers the ste erage or forecastle
deck was called the half deck. In
sailing boats a half deck is one
extending over only a portion of
a boat, the rest being open. For
racing purposes it has been found
necessary to define a half decked
boat ; it must be open aft of the
mast, and forward of the transom,
this open space not exceeding one
half of the internal area of the
boat ; and the waterways on each
side must not exceed (measured
from the outside of the boat to the inside of the coaming) one tenth
of the beam of the boat. A boat that fails to comply with these
conditions must be classed as a decked boat.
Half ebb, half flood. — (-See next page, Half Tide.)
Hal 'j floor. — In shipbuilding, one of
the timbers in the frame of a ship. Its
heel is set over the keel, and upon its
head rests the second futtock.
Half hitch. — One bend in a rope ; part
of the process of making a knot. (See
Knots.)
Half laughs and purser's grins. —
" Hypocritical and satirical sneer."
(Smyth.)
Half man. — Aname sometimes given,
in coasting vessels, to a landsman (which
see) or boy.
Half mast (of a flag). — A flag half
mast liigh is a sign of mourning ; on an
owner's vessel it is generally kept thus
until after the burial. (See fig.) '^V"
Half-minute glass. — At sea, a sand
glass used in running out the old form
of log.
Half outriggers. — Short outriggers Flag Half Mast High.
110 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
fitted to narrow skiffs. They are considerably used on the Upper
Thames, but not often elsewhere. (See diagram under RlG. )
Half spike. — A short pike originally employed in boarding an
enemy's vessel.
Half points (of the compass.) — The mariner's compass is divided
into 32 points. (See COMPASS.) Half one of these divisions is half
a point. A half point is therefore 5° 37' 30" of the circle.
Half port (in the Navy). — In old ships, a porthole shutter perfor-
ated with a hole, through which the muzzle of a gun could be thrust.
Half-rater. — A racing boat whose dimensions comply with
certain rules of rating for racing purposes. (See under RATE. )
Half sea. — An old term for mid-channel. (Smyth.)
Half seas over. — Half drunk. The term was used by Swift.
Half speed (with steam vessels). Reduced speed, ahead or astern.
Half tide. — The condition of the tide when half way between its
highest and lowest ; with a rising tide it is called half food, with a
falling tide half ebb.
Half tide rocks are those which show themselves at half-tide.
Half-timber. — In ship-building, a short futtoek.
Half turn, ahead or astern (with steam vessels). An order to start
the engines ahead or astern and stop them again immediately.
Halyard. — A rope, sometimes a chain, by which a sail, flag, or
yard is hoisted — hence the name — " haul yard." A halyard is
usually a tackle (which see), and in such a case consists of two parts :
viz., the pendant, or that part between the blocks, and the end
hauled upon, which is often called the fall (see diagram under
that head). Halyards take their names from the spars or sails
upon which they act, as throat-halyards (those which elevate the
throat of a gaff), etc. For reference to any particular halyard, see
under the name of its sail.
Hambrough, or hamber line. — Small bine used for seizings,
lashings, and a variety of other purposes on shipboard.
Hammock. — A swinging bed much used at sea. " In the language
of some tribes in the West Indian islands, the word hamac denoted
nets of cotton extended from two posts, and used as beds. From
them the word was borrowed by the companions of Columbus, who
transferred it to us through the Spanish word hamaca.'''' (Brande
and Cox.)
Hammock nettings. — In old sailing ships, a net-work rack in
which hammocks are stowed. They were often under the bul-
warks.
Hamper. — (See also Top Hamper.) Height aloft, as the yards,
topmasts, etc., of a ship. Smyth describes it thus : — '" Things
which, though necessary, are in the way in times of gale or service."
Hand.— A term often used for the word " man," as " all hands
ahoy," " another hand wanted," etc.
Handlass. — An old name for a windlass, because worked by hand.
Hand lead. — The smaller of the leads for sounding : — that is for
finding the depth of water beneath a vessel. (See Lead.)
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Ill
Hand mast. — A pole mast. Otherwise a mast made out of a hand
spar. (See below, Hand Spar.)
Hand over hand. — Hauling rapidly, and passing one hand alter-
nately over the other.
Hand rail. — A rail running along any portion of a vessel's deck.
Hand spar. — A round mast of one piece. " Those from Riga
are commonly over 70ft. long by 20in. in diameter." (Smyth.)
Hand spike. — A bar employed as a lever for lifting heavy objects,
or for working a windlass.
Handle. — To handle a boat well is to sail, and generally to
work, her in seamanlike fashion.
Handsomely. — A term which sounds somewhat contradictory.
It means the opposite to hasty, and is used occasionally with
reference to ropes or halyards, as "Lower away handsomely,"
which would mean " lower away gradually, or moderately, but not
necessarily slowly." Sometimes, too, it is understood to mean
" bit by bit," as " Let out the cable handsomely !" — i.e., a little at
the time.
Handy. — To be handy is to be capable of turning a hand to
anything one may be called upon to do ; and especially to be able
to do it quickly, and without bungling. A boat is said to be
handy when she answers her helm well and is generally well-
behaved under all circumstances.
Handy billy. — A small purchase or tackle, sometimes called a
jigger purchase.
Hang. — Spoken of anything leaning out of the
upright, as a mast which may hang back if too taut
in the backstays, or forward if too loose.
To hang on to any rope is to hold it tightly with-
out belaying it. " Hang on," as an expression, often
means simply " Hold on."
To hang the rudder is to fix it in its braces ready for
use.
Hanging knees. — In shipbuilding, knees or sup-
ports fastened under deck beams.
Hanging standard knees are others used in some-
what the same manner.
Hang, or sny. — Among shipwrights a slight upward
curve in a timber is called a sny : if its tendency is
downwards, it is said to hang.
Hanks. — Kings, of wood or iron, or catch-hooks,
by -which sails may be made to run on stays, or
purchase ropes be hooked on to tackles. (See fig.)
Thus a foresail runs on to the forestay by hanks.
The mast rings are also sometimes called the hanks.
Hank for hank. — An expression signifying that two
vessels work to windward together, tack for tack.
Harbour. — A piece of navigable water communicating with a
sea or river, having a roadstead, and protected from storms. There
Hanks.
112
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
are permanent harbours, tidal harbours, and harbours of refuge,
often called havens.
Harbour gaskets. — With sailing ships, the gaskets with which
sails are furled in harbour, or when it is desired to appear smart*
They used to be well blacked in the Royal Navy, so as to contrast
well Math the whiteness of the sails.
Hard. — 1. " Hard," in nautical language, is often joined to words
of command to the helmsman, signifying that the order should be
carried out with the utmost energy, e.g. :
Hard up (of the helm), or hard a'weather — to put the tiller of
a vessel quickly over to the windward.
Hard down, hard a'lee — to put the tiller quickly over to the lee
side.
Hard over. — To put the helm over is to shift it : that is to bear
the tiller over to the corresponding position on the opposite side of
the vessel : hard over is to do this with the utmost energy. These
terms are more fully explained under the heading Helm.
2. Hard. — A solid path or way artificially (occasionally naturally)
formed on a soft mud flat or foreshore, its use being that a boat may
land its occupants there at any state of the tide.
3. Hard and fast. — Fixed or immovable.
4. " Hard up in a clinch and no knife to cut the seizings." — An ex-
pression sometimes used in a dilemma out of which it is difficult to
see the way.
Harl, or harr. — A northern storm ; generally, however, it is
understood to mean a cold mist with easterly wind.
Harness. — Harness cash (at sea). — A cask holding food for
immediate use.
• Harness hitch. — A knot employed in harnessing men to a tow-
line. (See Knots.)
Harpings. — In shipbuilding cer-
tain of the wales (planks) at the for-
ward part of a hull are thicker than
•elsewhere : these stronger wales are
called harpings.
Cat harpings. — Ropes for frapping
(girting in) a ship's standing rigging
so that the lower yards may be braced
up sharp.
Harpoon. — A barbed javelin used
in spearing whales.
Hasp. — Generally speaking afasten-
ing, such as a clamp; a bar dropping
into a staple ; a padlock.
Hatch, hatchway. — A hatch-
way is an opening in the deck of a
vessel through which persons or cargo may descend : it is covered by
a movable frame or roof, called a hatch ; or in large craft by several
BOOBr OR SLIDING HATCH
Hatches.
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS.
113
hatches which are kept down hy small beams or rods called battens.
(See Batten Down.) A hatchway is sometimes called a " scuttle,"
as the foreseuttle, which is the hatchway to a forecastle. (See
Scuttle.)
Hatch money. — An allowance at one time given to captains for
care of cargo.
Haul (see Hale). — To pull upon a rope. But Falconer defines
the term as pulling upon " a single rope without assistance of blocks
or other mechanical powers upon it. " Thus to pull upon a warp
hawser or spring by hand is to haul ; but if a turn be taken with the
rope round a capstan or windlass it ceases to be hauling.
A haul, in rope-making, is a large bundle of parallel yarns ready
for tarring. In trawling it is the quantity of fish brought in in one
lifting of the net. Hence the origin of the term in general conver-
sation.
To haul the wind, in sailing, is to get close and keep close to the
wind. (See Close-hauled.)
To haul off. — To get closer to the wind so as to avoid some object.
Haul forward. — The wind is said to haul forward when it lies
before the beam.
To haul sharp. — To keep men on half food allowance (old term).
Haul under the chains. — When a ship's masts so strain on the
shrouds that the pressure on the chains (or channels) causes her
seams to open, she is said to haul under the chains.
Haunch. — A sudden decrease in the size of a piece of timber.
Haven. — A harbour of refuge. Smyth described it as a good
anchorage rather than a place of perfect safety. Many of the smaller
rivers of our coasts are called havens.
Hawse. — The hawse, with regard to a ship's position at anchor,
is, technically, that portion of the water in front of her which
•extends from the ship herself to the point on the surface of the
water directly above her
anchor: — i.e., the horizon-
tal distance of her cable ;
and a vessel is said to cross
the hawse of another when
she passes athwart the
latter's hawse, i.e. that space
in the water ahead of her
called the hawse. From
this we have various names,
as for instance, the hawse
of the ship — that part of
her Imjws in which are
the hawse-holes ; through
these the haivser, or cable, runs, and they are cut out in large
timbers called hawse-pieces.
Hawse-pipes are the short iron tubes lining these hawse-holes.
114 A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
Hawse-blocks, hawse plugs or bucklers are plugs for stopping the
hawse-holes when the cable is unbent and the ship at sea; or in
heavy weather : when in the form of stuffing they are called hawse-
bags.
Hawse-clamp is an old-fashioned engine in the form of a heavy
iron gripper or clamp, through which the hawser is passed, and
which prevents it from veering out.
A hawser, in the modern meaning, is a small cable, or in other
words a thick rope used for holding a vessel to a quay or mooring,
or for warping her along : it is, in fact, practically the same as a
warp. The origin of the term has possibly some reference to the
word " haul," for in old works we find it written haulier.
Hawser-laid (in ropemaking) is the designation of a rope laid (or
wound up) in the same manner as in a hawser, i.e., iu three or four
strands. (See Rope.)
Haivse fallen or hawse jail. — A ship is described thus when the
seas break into her hawse.
Burning in the hawse. — An old sea term, used when the cable
endures an extraordinary stress.
When a ship using hawsers to her anchors has two anchors out,
and the cables are clear, it is said to be a clear hawse; when
they become entangled in any way, it is a foul-hawse. The
twists which may occur in cables by the swinging of a ship at
anchor have been described as follow : — If the cables are once
crossed, it is a cross haivse. When another cross occurs, it forms an
elbnv. If a third should come about it is called a Round-turn. The
act of disengaging this foul (which, should it come on to blow, may
prevent cables from being veered of their friction against each other)
is called clearing haivse, while the veering out, or slackening of the
cable, whether to expose new surface to the friction in the hawse-
hole, or to allow the vessel to ride more free, is described as
freshening hawse. In modern times, since the use of chain-cables
has become almost universal, even for the lightest craft, the above
described twists and turns are no longer so liable to occur. Vessels
which need to put out two anchors ahead for any length of time now
often employ the system applied to the Lightships, the chains from
all anchors of which meet at one point, where they are attached to a
swivel, and joined by only one from the ship. By the working of this
swivel the vessel may then swing with every tide, and freshen or
shorten, without fear of " fouling -hawse."
Haze. — A thin mist such as that which often overspreads the face
of the ocean in summer and clears off as the sun mounts. A haze ik
not so dense as a mist. It usually denotes coming heat.
Head. — Generally speaking, the upper or larger end of any ob-
ject ; but under the term are included a great number of meanings.
A' head means forward or in front, in contradistinction to a' stem
which is belrind or backward.
The head of a ship. — The fore end of her.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
115
By the head, or down by the head, implies that the head is de-
pressed, just as down by the stem or heel signifies that her stern is
down.
" Hoiv's her head?" is a question often asked with regard to her
course.
To box off her head is to force her head off from the wind. (See
Boxing off.)
To head a stream is to lie with the ship's head pointing against
the stream as when she is tide-rode.
A headland is a cape or promontory.
A head-tide is sometimes spoken of when the tide is against the
ship.
Headway. — Progress forward or a'head. A vessel when she
cannot make progress is said to be unable to make headway.
Head wind, or the ivind a'head, is a wind contrary to the desired
course of the ship. She is head to ivind when her head is up in the
wind, or, it may be, when she sails extremely close to the wind.
In shipbuilding —
Heads are the timbers (ribs) of a vessel, or the upper parts of
them. They are either head timbers, that is, the uppermost
futtocks, when the ribs are composed of several pieces, or
Bent heads or bent timbers, in an open boat, in which each rib is
fashioned out of only one piece of timber, this being bent to its
required form by steaming.
Head of the keel. — The forefoot ; the other extremity being the heel.
Head knee or cheek knee. — The principal knee, or
strengthening piece, fayed to the stem.
Head ledges. — The thwartship (running across the
ship) ledges, or planks on edge, which form the coam-
ing of a hatchway.
Head sheets (in an open boat). — The flooring boards
in the bows, those covering the after floor being the
stern sheets. (See diagram under Sheet.)
Stem-head. — The upper portion of the stem post of
a vessel. (For illustrations of these members sec
diagrams under Frame.)
In the rigging and fittings of a vessel —
Head of the bowsprit is its forward end.
Head of a dead-eye is the outer side of the flat
surface, through which the holes are bored.
Head or drum of a capstan is the flat upper
portion which revolves.
Headfast. — A rope fastened to the stem of a boat or
ship. In an open ltoat it is called &])ainter (which see).
Head lights are lights carried at the head.
Headline is sometimes a rope from the head of a sail.
Head of the mast, or mast head, is, roughly speak-
ing, the top of a mast, but technically it means that
part of a mast from the hounds upwards. (Sec fig.)
i 2
rfl
Head
Stick
116
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
Head rope is the head portion of the bolt rope of a sail (ichieh see).
Bead of a sail is its upper edge ; the lower being the foot. (See
Sail.)
Head sails are the forward sails, as the jib and foresail.
Head-stick.— & short stick fitted in the head of some jib-shaped
sails to prevent the sail from twisting and the bolt-rope from
kinking. It is very useful in boats. , (See fig., p. Ho.)
Heart. — A peculiar type of dead-eye (which see).
Heart or heart-yarn. — The inner yam in a strand of rope.
Heave- — To pull on a rope or cable with mechanical aid, and
therefore to be distinguished from " hauling. " (Sec Haul). To draw
anything up. To throw anything. To come within view or sound.
Heave a' head, or a'stern. — To draw a
ship a'head or a'stern by an anchor,
a warp, or otherwise.
"Heave and away. 1 " "Heave and
rally!" — Encouraging terms to men
at a capstan or windlass.
Heave and paid. — To turn the cap-
stan until the pawl may be dropped.
Heave and set. — To ride heavily while
at anchor.
"Heave Oh!" — An exclamation used
by men all pulling together on a rope or
anything else. Also a ciy in certain
fishing towns, signifying that a shoal
of fish has appeared.
Heave short. — To bring a vessel
directly above her anchor preparatory
to weighing. (See fig.)
Heave in sight. — To come within sight of another.
Heave in stays. — To bring a vessel head to wind in tacking. The
meaning of the term is explained under the heading Tack.
Heave taut. — To pull or haul anything tight up.
Heave the lead. — To throw the lead-bine, when sounding. (See
Lead.)
Heave to. — To bring a vessel up head to wind, and so to dispose
the sails that she makes no progress, when she is said to be " hove
to," or " lying to."
Heave up. — To draw or pull up, as to heave up the anchor or a
fishing net.
Hebbinff (very possibly the more correct term should be ebbing). —
An old method of taking fish as they come down a river on the ebb
tide. The apparatus employed was called a hcbbing weir, and was
extended across, or partly across, the stream. There was at onetime
a considerable fishery in the Upper Thames, both above and below
bridge, for smelt and other salt and fresh water fish, the men
employing themselves in this industry being called hebbemien
Heaving Short.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 117
(ebb-men ?) ; and tbeir boats, called peter boats, may still be seen
between Hammersmith and Richmond. But when the drainage of
London was emptied into the Thames, the industry gradually
declined, and eventually no fish could come into the upper reaches.
Hebbing has therefore become obsolete ; but since the system of
drainage has been improved, and the sewage no longer pollutes the
water, the fish have gradually penetrated further up ; and it is not
impossible that they may, in years to come, once more pass througL
the city, and again give occasional employment to the hebberman.
Heel. — Generally, the opposite to the
head, as the after end of a ship's keel ; the
lower end of any spar or timber. Thus the
lower end of a topmast is its heel ; and the
rope by which the mast is hauled up is the
heel rope. A vessel is doivn by the heel when
her heel or stern is depressed in the water
(compare with "Down by the head,'' under
Head).
To heel is to careen or lay her over.
" They made the vessel heel,
And lay upon her side ;"
the heel, in sucli a case, is her inclination
laterally. She also heels over, or "bends," under press of canvas.
Heel-post, in some steamships, is a post which supports the end of
the propeller shaft.
Height (of a flag).— The perpendicular height, the length being
called the fly.
Height -staff or roe/ (in shipbuilding), a measuring staff for heights,
as the half- breadth staff is for widths.
Helm. — The helm is the steering apparatus of the ship, i.e., the
rudder, with its operative part the tiller or handle (sometimes
called the helmstock). To this mechanism large vessels haveaifAeeZ
added, while in small open boats the place of the wheel is often taken
by a yoke and yoke lines. Steering orders, as given on ship-board,
refer (with very few exceptions) to the direction in which the tiller
is to be thrust. Therefore the order to Port means, put the tiller
over to port, the result of which "will, of course, be to send the
vessel's head to starboard. (See Port and STARBOARD.) It must
never lie supposed that such an order is intended to mean, put the
vessel over to port ; for it has no direct reference to the vessel, but
only to the tiller. In a vessel steered by a wheel, the chains or
ropes by which the wheel works the tiller (for the tiller is, in
theory, and often in fact, always there) are so arranged that by
turning the wheel from right to left (that is, in a port ward
direction) the tiller is pulled over to port. Thus though, in the
mechanism of the steering apparatus, two distinct portions (the
rudder and the tiller) are essential, to which, in large vessels, a third
(the wheel) is added, we come to regard the tiller as the helm ; and
118 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
this is why to PORT helm is to put the tiller a'port, that is towards
the left side of the vessel, while to Starboard the helm, or put the
helm a'starboard, is to put the tiller over to the right, or starboard
side. With these few details clearly understood, the following
terms, which have reference to the working of the helm in sailing
operations, will be made clear.
Helm up, helm dotvn. — If a beginner receive the order " Helm up !"
the first question which will naturally present itself to his mind
is, — " Up to what?" a very reasonable question to ask ; for if it is
to go up it certainly must go up to something. And such reasoning
will undoubtedly solve the difficulty, for nothing at sea is done
without a reason. Now, there is in a boat propelled by the wind
but one thing up to which the tiller could be put, viz. : the wind,
the veiy raison d'etre of such a boat's existence. Helm up, then,
must of necessity mean -up to the wind; and so, in fact, it does,
for no matter what position a boat may be in, no matter what
turns or twists from that position she may make, no matter
whether it be light or dark, foggy or clear, whether the wind be
ever so steady or shift from north to south and all round the compass
again ; whatever the time or whatever the circumstances, a beginner
need never be at a loss for the meaning of " helm up " : he has but
to determine the direction of the wind (and if there be a doubt in
his mind over that, the sail, which naturally stands away from it,
will quickly dispel it) and up against it goes the tiller without a
further thought. Yet, simple as it seems, it is astonishing how
many mistakes are made by beginners over this important point ;
and it must be confessed that to determine at a moment's notice
the direction of the wind, when quite fresh to the practice of sailing,
is not altogether an easy thing. Moreover, there are times when
it appears difficult to determine at all which Avay " helm up " would
mean ; as, for instance, when the tiller lies directly in the line of
the wind, as it might if the boat be running sheer before it, or when
lying head to wind. Here again then a little reasoning is useful. If a
boat be sailing with a side wind and the sail stand over on the star-
board side, from which side is the wind blowing ? Naturally, from the
port side, and the boat is therefore on the port tack. For the same
reason, then, if the boat be running before the wind with her sail still
standing over on the starboard side, the wind must be or must have
been blowing, however little, from the port side, and to thrust the
tiller over to port is to put it up. The reader must take particular
notice, however, that, in this instance, no such command as " helm
up " would be given ; because, under the circumstances, to put the
tiller up would be to cause the boom to gybe so suddenly and
violently as (with any breeze) to carry something away. But the
example is introduced to make him familiar with some of the conse-
quences of " helm up " and " helm down. " In such a case the order
would probably be Let her gybe, " upon which the tiller might be
put slightly down, the sheet quickly gathered in, anil the boom
allowed to go over as quietly as could be. (See Gybe.) But the
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
119
order to " down helm " might reasonably be followed, for it would
necessitate that the tiller be put over to starboard, by which the
head of the boat would go to port, the sail remaining all the time
on the same side.
If, now, the boat be lying head to wind, how shall the meaning
of " helm up " be determined '! It must depend upon the course to
be taken. If a point on the starboard side is to be made, to get in
that direction the tiller must, of course, be put over to port, which
consequently will be putting it up ; for in a few moments the boat
will be on the port-tack and standing for her point.
The meaning of " helm up " having been mastered, that of " helm
down," being precisely the opposite in all cases, is already under-
stood, and we come to another phrase made occasional use of with
reference to the tiller, viz., over or hard over. This command is
most frequently heard in cases of emergency : it requires, therefore,
to be promptly answered : and, fortunately, is not difficult to under-
stand. To put the helm over is to shift it, that is, to bear the
tiller over to the corresponding position on the opposite side of
the vessel. Hard over is to do this with the utmost energy. (See
under Hard.)
The following are the various expressions having direct reference
to the side to which the tiller must be put : —
UP. — Keep her aioay, pay her off, no higher, no nearer, give
her tveather helm, are terms equivalent to bear aioay, bear up;
and all have the same meaning with regard to the tiller, viz. :
helm up.
DOWN.— Helm a'tec—Fut the helm to the lee side of the vessel,
that is, away from the wind, and, therefore, down.
Luff. — Put the vessel's head up towards the wind ; to do which
the tiller must be pat away from the wind, and therefore down.
Nothing off. — To keep a boat " nothing off " is to keep her head
" right on," or up to, the wind. If she falls away the tiller must
be put down, which will bring her head once more up.
RIGHT. — Helm amidships, or right the helm. — Put the tiller or
let it fall back in the same line as the keel.
Weather helm and lee helm. — These are terms very difficult of
explanation, experience being required to form a clear conception
of their meaning. A vessel is said to carry a weather helm when
— her tendency in sailing being to ran up into the wind — her helm
must be kept constantly over to the weather side, or up. And she
carries a lee helm when — her tendency being to fall away from the
wind — her helm must be kept to leeward, or down. Thus it would
appear that weather and lee helm are tendencies to run either up to
the wind or away from it. Though some vessels have one tendency
and some another, there may also be causes to aggravate these.
For instance, if a vessel have too much weight astern, or if the after
sails are too much for the head sails, she will have to be sailed on a
weather helm, for her tendency will be to ran up into the wind ;
wlrile if she be down by the head (having too much weight in her
120 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
bows), or if the head sails more than counterbalance the after ones,
they will carry her head away from the wind, and she will con-
stantly require a lee-helm to keep her up. This is veiy well under-
stood with respect to large vessels, and taken into due account in
the stowing of cargo. For a sailing ship will be very narrowly
watched throughout her first voyage, and if it be found that she
carries too much weather helm, the great weight of cargo will, for
her next trip, be stowed aft ; whereas if she requires a lee helm it
will find its way forward. Sea-faring men approve of weather
helm ; they like to feel that their vessel is ardent, or, in other
words, that they have something to steer against. Amateurs, on
the other hand, are often averse to it. Lee helm is not only ob-
jectionable, but in certain cases it becomes positively dangerous ;
for if, in a sudden squall, a boat cannot quickly be brought up head
to wind, the consequences may be serious.
Helmport. — A port is a hole ; and the helm port is the hole
through which the head and stock of a rudder (or helm) passes when
the vessel has a counter.
Helmsman. — The man at the helm, that is, who steers the vessel.
Helmstock. — Another word for the tiller {which see).
Hermaphrodite briff. — The old name for the vessel we now
call a brigantine. Being brig-rigged on the foremast and schooner-
rigged on the main mast, it was also sometimes called a brig
schoooner. (See under Beig.)
Heron, (hern, hernshaiv). — A well-known water bird. The com-
monest of the family Ardeidce. On the East Coast the name hern-
shaiv is always used. But it is pronounced " hand-sor." Hence,
without room for doubt, the explication of the much quoted
Shakesperean line ("Hamlet") relating to the difference between
" a hawk and a handsaw."
High, (high and dry). — The situation of a vessel when, being
aground, she is left there by the receding tide.
The high seas. — The open sea ; that is beyond the three-mile limit
—that being the distance within which nations claim the rights of
jurisdiction.
High ivater. — The top of the tide ; the point of its highest rise ;
the point of its lowest fall being called low water.
High water inark. — The mark left by the tide along the coast
when it recedes. It usually means the height to which the highest
spring tides rise, and in England it is often marked in certain
places by the Trinity House Corporation, this being called the
Trinity high water mark. (See also Spring Tides.)
Hike. — A slang expression — to move quickly ; as, " hike off," be
off quickly. It may also mean to hand or swing something over ;
as, " hike it over," i.e., "swing or hand it over."
Hitch. — The name given to certain twists made with rope to
form knots which may be very easily loosened. The principal
liitches are the half-hitch, tioo-half -hitches, clove-hitch, magnus-
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
121
hitch, timber - hitch, and blachioall - hitch (for the
method of making all of which see under the heading
Knots).
To take a hitch is simply to take one turn in a
rope, or, when applied to the belaying of a rope, to
make a bight (bend) in the last turn, keeping the
running end under so that it will not unwind {see
fig.). This is the neatest manner of finishing a
belaying.
Hitcher. — Another word for a barge-pole, punt-
ing-pole, quanting-pole, or boat-hook, called variously
according to locality. (See under Pole. )
Hobbler. — A coastman of Kent; an unlicensed
pilot ; one towing a vessel ; a watchman.
Hog. — A stout broom, or brush, for scraping a
boat's bottom.
Hogging (at sea). — A dangerous thing with a ship, sometimes
the result of her taking, or remaining too long on, the ground. It
is a falling of her head and
4
C r ^r
Hogging.
stern, the consequence of
some accidental weakness
in her keel. A vessel
which has hogged is either
strengthened by a hog
frame, a sort of huge truss,
running fore and aft, or by
a hog-chain, a chain acting
as a tension rod, passing
from stem to stern. It may
be generally concluded,
however, that a hogget! vessel is a wreck.
Hoist. — To elevate, to haul aloft, with or Avithout the assist-
ance of tackles.
Hoist. — The perpendicular measurement of a sail or flag. Thus
the height of a flag is its "hoist," the length being its fly ; and
in bike manner the length of a sail, measured up along the foremost
leech, is its hoist. So a flag may have a two-foot hoist, a fore-
and-aft mainsail a hoist of 10 or 15 feet ; a fore-sail or a jib a six or
eight foot hoist.
Hold. — The inner space of a vessel in which the cargo is stowed.
Hold beams. — In shipbuilding, beams traversing the hold of a
vessel and supporting a lower deck, or hold-floor. (See Frame.)
"Hold hard!" — Stop; desist: something equivalent to avast
(which see).
Hold a luff. — In sailing, to keep close to the wind ; to luff meaning
to go close up to the wind.
Hold a topmast.— A gaff topsail, unless kept close to its topmast
122 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
l>y a lacing or jack stay, will be liable, except in a very light breeze,
to blow from the mast, or in the language of fishermen it will not
" hold the topmast." This is the case with big yard-topsails,
which are unsuited, therefore, for working to windward in a breeze.
Hold a wind, hold a good wind. — A vessel is said to hold a good
wind when she has no tendency to fall off from the wind ; and one
boat is said to " hold a better wind " than another when she sails
closer to the wind than the other.
''''Hold water!" In rowing, the same as "back water" {which
see, under Back). The expression is uncommon.
Holding on the slack. — Lazy. Doing little or nothing.
Holly-stone- — A soft porous stone used in most ships for the
purpose of nibbing or scouring the decks with sand every morning
soon after day bight. A large flat piece is called a " bible," possibly
because it is used by men kneeling ; and a small piece for getting
into corners is a "prayer-book."
Holsoni. — A term applied to a ship that rides without rolling
or labouring. (See WHOLESOME.)
Home. — The term is applied to anything close up, or in its place.
It also implies the situation of a ship. When blocks are drawn
together they are said to be " brought home." A square sail, when
its clews are brought close down to the yard-arms of its lower yard,
is said to be " hauled home." A bolt may be " driven home." A
bale or cask in the cargo of a vessel, when stowed close up against
another so that neither will shift, is described as " stowed home."
Come home (of an anchor). — The anchor is said to " come home "
when it drags — the ship being " home."
Fall home or tumble home. — In shipbuilding, the inward inclination
of the sides of a bulging ship after they leave the water bine. (See
diagrams under Fall and Frame.)
Sheeted home. — A sail hauled in as close as necessary is said to be
" sheeted home."
Hood. — A covering to a scuttle, companion, or the steering gear of
a vessel. (See diagram under Deck.) In shipbuilding, the final
plank of a complete strake is called a hood, and the end of this plank
a hooding end. Hence in shipbuilding those ends of the planks which
abut on the stem and stern posts are the hoods, or hooding ends.
Hook. — The epithet hookedis frequently applied in shipbuilding to
anything bent or incurvated, as the breast-hooks, fore-hooks, after-
hooks, etc. A hook is, in fact, a strengthening knee supporting
various members in a ship. In a rope, a loop spliced into the rope.
Hook-block. — A block having a hook upon it. (See Block.)
Hook-rope. — A rope used for such purposes as dragging a cable
ashore when hauling a vessel up to a quay, etc. It is usually
wliipped at one end anil furnished with a loop or hook at the other
(whence its name).
Hook and butt. — The scarfing or laying of the two ends of timbers
over each other.
A DICTIONAHY OF SEA TEKMS.
123
Hooker. — An old name for a Dutch trading vessel. Also applied
to an Irish fishing smack, and to a small Brixham fishing-boat. (See
Howker.)
Hoop. — Usually a band round something. The rings on a mast
to which the weather leech of a fore-and-aft sail are bent — some-
times called hanks. {See Mast Hoors.)
Hope. — " A small bay ; it was an early term for a valley and is
still used in Kent for a brook, and gives name to the adjacent
anchorages." Hence we have the "Upper and Lower Hope," the
last reaches before the estuary of the Kiver Thames.
Horn. — The arm of a cleat or kevel. The jaws of a gaff or boom.
Horns of the rudder. — In certain ships, irons to which the rudder
chains are attached.
Horns of the tiller. — Also in ships, the bolts by which the chains
are fixed to the rudder.
Horn fisted. — Horny handed — i.e., having rough hands.
Horn timbers. — Bracket or knee-shaped timbers affixed to the
stempost of a boat for the support of the counter.
Hornpipe. — The dance once popular among the sailors of the
British navy, and still, to a small extent, performed at festive times.
Barrington (" Arcbseologia," Vol. III.) considered the name of this
dance to be derived from a musical instrument of wood, with homat each
end, and formerly used in Wales, called pib-corn (Angl., hornpipe).
Horse- — 1. In square rigged vessels, a rope for the support
of a man. (A) — The rope running beneath a yard upon which the
men stand while furling is a horse, and is attached to the yard
by short ropes called stirrups. (See fig. 1.) The outer portion of the
horse is called the flemish-horse. (B) — A
rope stretched from the cap of a bowsprit or
jib-boom to the knight-heads for the safety
of men working on the bowsprit. (C) — A
breast-rope over which a man may lean,
while heaving the lead.
2. In fore-and-aft rig, an iron bar or rail,
running athwart a deck, or the stem of a
boat, upon which a sheet-tackle travels.
(See fig. 2.) Many yachts, and even open
boats, are fitted with a horse for the main
sheet block ; and in fishing craft we often
find one forward of the mast upon which
the foresail travels, obviating the neces-
sity for fore-sheets. In this latter case the
leech of the foresail carries a pendant
(hanging rope) by means of whicli the sail,
when it has travelled over the horse, is held fast to the shrouds.
A foresail thus manipulated is called a " working foresail."
Horse-shoe clamp. — In ship-building, an iron strop or clamp
gripping the forefoot of the keel.
Fig. 2.
124
A DICTION AHY OF SEA TERMS.
Horse-shoe rack. — In ships, a curved rack carrying
small blocks used in connection with the running gear.
Horsing iron. — In ship-building, a caulker's chisel
used for caulking a ship's seams with oakum.
To horse up. — To " harden in " the oakum caulk-
ing in a vessel's seams. i*i
Irish horse. — Salt beef ; and presupposed to be of Hounds
a certain good age. There is an old verse in con-
nection with the term, as follows : —
" Salt horse, salt horse, what brought you here?
You've carried turf for many a year.
From Dublin quay to Ballyack
You've carried turf upon your back. "
This has been called "the sailor's address to his
salt beef."
Host men. — "An ancient guild or fraternity
at Newcastle, to whom we are indebted for the
valuable sea-coal trade. " (Smyth.)
Hot coppers. — A parched mouth the morning
after drinking heavily, especially of bad spirit.
Hounds. — 1. Those projections at the lower
part of a mast-head which carry the trestle-trees,
shrouds, stays, etc. {See fig.) They are often con-
founded with the cheeks. The difference is arbitraiy.
On large masts such as those of sailing ships, they
are usually called the hounds ; in small vessels the
cheeks. Hence either term may be equally properly
used. The hounds are also sometimes called the
bibbs. In old works they are described as the holes
in the cheeks of the mast. The jaws of a gaff or boom
are occasionally called its hounds.
Hounding. — That por-
tion of a mast below the
hounds ; or, in other words,
between the deck and the
hounds. ((See fig.)
House flag.— A square
flag displaying the device
and colours adopted by any
mercantile shipping com-
pany. It is used as a signal
in port or to pilots, pier-
masters, etc., and also when
meeting other vessels. Fig. 1
shows its position when flying, and fig. 2 indicates the colours
adopted by the P. and O. and Orient lines.
Housing. — 1. The housing of a mast is that portion below the
deck ; it is usually square so as to fit inside the mast-case.
to^.TV
^pl^^^rC**-— "S^^"--,'"
Fig. 1.— Position of Flag when Flying.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TE11MS.
125
oRifNT nut
(See diagram under HOUNDS.) 2. The housing
of a bowsprit is that part of it which lies
inboard (within the knight-heads).
A housing (house-line) is also a small rope used
for seizings (i.e., binding-up).
To put a vessel under cover, for laying up,
is sometimes called housing her.
To house a mast or spar is to take it down,
or strike it. Thus a topmast lowered and
secured to the lower mast, as so often seen in
small craft during winter — is said to be housed.
The housing of spars in a gale is a very im-
portant piece of seamanship, for every sailor
knows how much wind they may hold. Indeed Fig. 2. — House-flags
so much is this the case that the act of (page 124).
scudding under bare poles — i.e., running before the wind without
a single sail set, is by no means an uncommon practice, and may
even be done when a gale is no more than moderate. Jn such
vessels as yachts the housing of spars is sometimes, though, of
course, on a lesser scale, equally necessary ; and even in open boats
it may occasionally be well to take down the mast and any other
spars which may project outboard, in order that the boat may be
buried as little as possible in a heavy rolling sea.
Hove. — "Heave" in the past tense. Thus we may say "we
hove to during the squall. " But the word is as frequently used in
the present tense, as " she is hove to ; " " she is hove in stays," etc.
Hovellers. — 1. At the Cinque Ports, a name for pilots. 2.
As an old term it means those who range the seas around the coast
in the chance of falling in with ships in distress.
Howker, or hooker. — "A Dutch vessel commonly navigated
with two masts — viz. , a main and a mizzen mast, and being from
sixty to two hundred tons burden. It is also the name of a fishing
boat used on the southern coast of Ireland and carrying only one
mast." (Falconer.) On our coasts the howkers go by the more
familiar name of " Dutchmen."
Hoy. — A hoy, before the era of steam vessels, was a boat acting
somewhat in the same manner as do tenders to-day ; they carried
goods and passengers to and from the larger vessels ; but they also
coasted. At the present time the term is still in use for a species of
lighter ; and those who own these lighters or unload vessels call
themselves (though improperly) hoymen.
Hug. — To keep close to in sailing, as to hug the shore, to hug
the wind, etc.
Hull, or hulk. — The hull is the body of a vessel, exclusive
of her masts, etc. The word hulk is more generally applied
to old vessels, or at least to those that are not sent to sea. The
better ones were, and still are, made use of in various Mays :
they become hospitals, storage or guardships under Government,
126 A DICTIONAllY OF SEA TERMS.
or watch-boats, store houses, etc., with private individuals. At
Leigh, on the Thames, the hull of an old vessel has been turned into
a yacht club house ; while in a village on the Suffolk coast half the
cottages are formed of the inverted hulks of old fishing craft,
precisely like that one in which David Copperfield made his first
accpiaintance with the domestic arrangements of the Peggotty family.
Certain hulls are fitted with sheers (cranes) for dockyard or other
engineering work, and are called sheer hulks. But this latter term
is often understood to mean nothing more than the mere remnant of
a ship, as in Dibdin's song : —
" Here a sheer hulk lies poor Tom Bowling,
The darling of our crew. "
It is important to those uninitiated in shipping matters to know
that in ordering sailing craft to be built, prices are quoted for the
hull only, unless otherwise stipulated. It is general now, however,
to put masts and spars into yachts.
Hulling or trying. — Lying in wait, in a heavy sea, without sail.
(See also Trying.) "The situation of a ship when she is trying
a'hull or with all her sails furled, as in trying." (Falconer.)
Huniber keel. — A clincher built trading vessel, usually bluff
bow and stern, sailing out of the River Huniber.
Hung up. — Sometimes to be " hung up " means to be left ashore
or without occupation.
Hung vp in the wind. — When a vessel has been brought head to
wind, in sailing, but refuses to go about, she is said to become " hung
up in the wind," or to be " in irons." {See In Irons and Tack.)
Hurricane. — A violent storm, distinguished by the vehemence
and sudden changes of the wind.
Hurriixme deck. — In large steam boats, a light upper deck extend-
ing across the vessel amidships, usually for the officer in command.
(See Deck.)
Hurry. — Another word for staith (which see).
Hurtle.— To send bodily along on a heavy sea or swell.
Husbaud. — Ship's husband. — A sort of marling spike or pin
for various purposes. Of the man called ship's husband in old days
Falconer gives the following : " Ship's husband (among merchants),
the person who takes the direction and management of a ship's con-
cerns upon himself, the owners paying him a commission for his
trouble. "
I.
Idlers. — On shipboard, those who, being liable to constant duty
by day, are not subjected to keep the night watches ; such are the
carpenter, sail maker, etc. But they have to come up with the rest
of the crew when " all hands " are called.
In. — Inboard. — Within the ship, in contradistinction to outboard,
which is without her ; the board being the side of a vessel. Thus
a bowsprit which projects outboard may be reeved (drawn) inboard.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 127
So also, that portion of an oar or skull which is within the boat
when used in the act of rowing lies inboard.
In-haul. — A rope or purchase for rigging -in, that is for drawing
in a spar or sail, just as an outhaul is for rigging it out. Thus, in a
cutter yacht, the jib, which is set flying (that is, not on a stay),
is hauled out along the bowsprit by an outhaul, and brought in by
an inhaul. (See diagram under Jib.)
Inner post. — In shipbuilding, a timber upon which one of the
transoms is usually fixed.
Inner turns. — (See Outer Turns.)
Inshcyre. — By the shore, towards the shore, as " Let us get in-
shore," that is " Let us get nearer to the shore."
Inrigged. — Rigged or fitted within or on the side of a boat. The row-
locks of row-boats are either inrigged or outriggcd, the former when on
the gunwale, as in the ordinary way, the latter when extended on
light iron brackets as for racing purposes. (See diagram under Rio. )
In the eve of the iritid. — In sailing, a vessel making progress at an
acute angle with, or, in other words, very close to, the wind is said
to be " in the eye of the wind."
Intermittent light. — A fixed light suddenly eclipsed and as
suddenly revealed. (See Lights.)
International. — International law. — An important branch of
the law of nations.
International code (of signals). — The code of signalling adopted
by England, America, France, Germany, Russia, Austria, Spain,
Portugal, Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Italy, Greece, and Brazil,
for commercial purposes, in both the naval ami mercantile marines.
The "International Code of Signals (Universal Series)," issued by
the Admiralty and Board of Trade, and published annually, price
12s., contains a list of the International Code with instructions
to masters as to signalling, besides other useful matter. (For a
description of the flags and other symbols with which the code is
used, see under the heading Signals.)
Inwale.— {See Wale.)
Irish pennants. — Rope yams or any fagged old rope ends
hanging about the rigging of a vessel. The term is used as one of
opprobrium. .-
Iron. — Anything made of iron may be called " an iron," as boom
iron, end irons, etc.
In irons. 1. A punishment on shipboard ; the old term for hand-
cuffed or chained up. 2. (In sailing). — If a vessel miss-stays in
tacking ami cannot be cast one way or the other, she is said to be
" in irons," or " hung up in the wind." (See TACK.)
Iron-byund shore. — A dangerous and rocky part of the coast.
Ironclad. — The name often given to a vessel of war, because she
is clad in iron or steel.
Iron-sick. — A term signifying the state of an old vessel when her
iron work becomes loose in her timbers ; and it may also be applied
128
A DICTIONAHY OF SEA TEKMS.
to the condition of a "composite vessel when her iron fastenings
become rotten through the galvanic action which arises between
them and the copper sheathing." (See COMPOSITE.)
Preservation of iron. — Iron is found to be so liable to rust on
exposure to the salt air of the sea
that various plans have to be em-
ployed in preserving it. The most
effective of these methods is galvan-
ising. Immersion while hot in boiling
oil also preserves the surface, while
the simplest method is to paint it.
In yachts, in the fitting out of which
expense is not considered, brass or
gun-metal takes the place of iron
wherever possible.
Jack. — The term "jack" is ap-
plied somewhat indiscriminately by
sea-faring men to various spars,
sails, ropes, etc. It would appear,
speaking generally, to mean some-
thing small.
Jack (in flags). — " Something
shown, a signal." (Brande and Cox.)
In this sense the word jack has here
been kept distinct from Union Jack,
because the jack being a flag used
as a signal, any nation may have
one ; and, indeed, every nation has
(me, and uses it whenever occasion
renders it necessaiy. The mercantile
jack of England is the union (which
see), enclosed in a border of white,
one-fifth the width of the flag, and
this method of enclosing the national
colours is very usual with foreign
countries, though by no means uni-
versal. When signalling for a pilot
the jack is hoisted at the fore (i.e.,
at the head of the fore -mast), or in
single-masted craft at the head of
the mast, and kept flying ; and it is by the colours of the jack
that the nationality of the vessel is known : or instead of the jack
the flags P.T., of the international code of signals, may be hoisted.
But, speaking roughly, as flags cannot always be deciphered at
a great distance, almost any colours hoisted at the fore will be
understood to mean that a pilot is required. The pilot's answer
to the signal is a red and white flag (divided longways).
Jack-block. — A block sometimes used in sending up a top mast.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 129
Jack cross-trees. — 1. In a ship, single iron cross-trees at the head
of long top-gallant masts, for the support of royal or sky sail masts.
2. In fore-and-aft rigged craft, iron cross-trees which fold up, so as
to admit of a mast being lowered. They are often seen in topsail
barges, the masts of which have to be lowered in passing under
bridges. (See fig. )
Jack in the basket. — A name given by fishermen to a basket placed
on a beacon for marking a shoal or channel.
Jack-ladder. — A ladder furnished with side ropes for holding on by.
Jack-pin. — A belaying pin in a fiferail, when it is also called a
sack pin.
Jack quarter deck. — The same as the top gallant forecastle. (See
diagram under Deck.)
Jack-staff. — A flag pole for flying the Union Jack.
Jack stay. — 1. A stay acting also as a traveller. 2. A thin rope
used to hold the luffoi a gaff top-sail to its mast : it is rove through
a cringle about midway down the luff of the sail, and passing
through a sheave or grommet on the mast, is then brought down
on deck and belayed. The jack stay may, therefore, take the place
of the lacing of a jib-headed topsail to its mast. (See fig.)
Jack topsail (sometimes called a jacket or donkey topsail). —
A fore-and-aft topsail bent (i.e., attached) to a jack yard, which
carries the sail up above the head of the mast. This sail is a little
awkward to manipulate, but it has a certain advantage in light
winds, in that it reaches higher than do most other topsails ; and as
it may be set on a pole mast, it is frequently applied to small boats,
and hoisted above a balance lug sail. (See fig., also under Topsails.)
Jack yard. — Generally speaking, a yard or pole which extends
either the head or the foot of a topsail beyond some other spar.
Applied to the head of a jack topsail, it stands, when set, in a
vertical position, cariying the head of the sail up beyond the head
of the mast, and is kept in this situation by hauling down the foot
of the yard, which, in this case, secures the tack of the sail.
Applied to the foot of a topsail the jack yard carries it out beyond
the peak. (See fig.) In ships we find a cross-jack yard (pro-
nounced "crojeck " or " crutched " yard), which is the lowest yard
on the mizzen mast. It is always hung ; not hoisted with halyards.
Jack-ass rig. — The name sometimes given to the ordinary
form of three-masted schooner
which sets square topsails on
the foremast. It is possible
that this name has been
given to distinguish the rig
from that which may, in
this instance, be called the
true three-masted schooner ;
the latter sets no square sail-, V ^5^2SSM^ -
but is a much less common
rig. (See SCHOONER.)
& Jack-ass Rig.
130 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Jacket. — 1. A double or outer coat, in the planking of a vessel.
2. The jack topsail of a fore-and-aft rigged boat is sometimes called
the jacket.
Jackettiiig. — A scolding. Sometimes an infliction of the rope
end.
Life jacket. — (See under Life.)
Jacob's ladder. — A rope ladder having wooden rounds.
Jaws. — The horns at the end of a boom or gaff . (See Gaff.)
Jaw-rope. — A rope passed through and across the jaws of a gaff,
to hold the spar to the mast. It is generally threaded through
wooden beads or trucks to prevent jamming, and thus becomes a
parrel (which see).
Jears. — Tackles by which the lower yards of a ship are swayed
or struck (i.e., hoisted or lowered).
Jetsam (in law). — Goods cast from a ship and sunk, in contra-
distinction to flotsam and lagan (both of which see).
Jettison (in law) (evidently from the French jettez-en). — To
jettison is to cast goods overboard, whether to lighten or get a
vessel upon an even keel when aground, and thus aid in floating
her again, or — on the high seas
— that she may ride more easily
when in distress.
Jetty. — A small pier or landing
place. (See fig.)
Jewel block. — In square rig,
a block at a yard arm for the
halyard of a studding sail. (See Jetty.
diagram under Block.)
Jib. — One of the head sails in a sailing vessel — triangular in
shape. In large vessels it is bent to a stay, called the jib-stay,
which extends from the fore-top-mast head to the end of t\iejib-
boom ; but in small craft generally it is set, either standing or flying
(according to the rig of the boat), between the lower mast head and
the end of the bowsprit. In the cutter and yawl, both of which
have reeving bowsprits, the jib is set flying ; in the sloop, which has
a fixed bowsprit, it is set standing, on the jib-stay, and usually ex-
tends aft almost to the mast, thereby doing away with the fore-sail.
In either case it is the most forward of all the sails. The jib, not-
withstanding the fact that it is small and stands out-board, is a very
important agent in sailing. It steadies the boat in her course, helps
her round when she is put about, prevents her running suddenly up
into the wind, and acts as a good guide to the helmsman, when
sailing in the eye of the wind, for by its tendency to chaffer (or
shiver) it tells him when he is sailing too close. Its virtue hies
in its position as the foremost of all the sails, and on this account
we have the following rule for working jib and foresail: When a
vessel is going about, the jib acts before the foresail, but its power
is soon expended. It is, therefore, brought over first (as soon as its
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS.
131
effort is seen to be finished) and sheeted home, while the foresail,
by laying aback, completes the work of bringing the vessel's head
round. This is an operation which requires nice judgment and some
little experience. The mistake of bringing the head sails over too
soon is particularly to be avoided : it may almost be said, indeed,
that it is better to be too slow than too quick, though much, of
course, must depend upon the general behaviour of the craft.
Jibs, in seagoing craft, are of vaiious sizes, to suit all weathers.
A large jib will tend in a
Mil
•■i.MiidU Jil>
3. Flying Jit
4-Jifc -boom
j.FLyinj Jtt-lroom
breeze to buiy a boat's head ;
and some boats are incapable
of standing a large one at
any time. In the latter case
the sail is sometimes cut
obliquely at the foot, so as
to run upwards from the
bowsprit, and this has been
found to lift the boat better.
Occasionally the head is cut
square and fitted with a small
batten called a head-stick ;
this acts well where the bolt
rope of the sail tends to kink.
Besides the jib in common
use, we have the following :
Balloon jib. — A racing sail
of enormous size, extending
from the topmast head to the
bowsprit head. Sometimes
the spinnaker is carried for-
ward as a balloon jib in racing.
(See Balloon Canvas.)
Flying ib. — A jib set out
on a jib-boom ahead of the
jib. It is used on schooner
yachts and trading vessels.
(See fig.)
Inner jib. — In ships, the jib next the fore-stay sail.
Jib of jibs (only in large ships). — "A sixth jib," only known to
flying-kite men.
Jib topsail. — A jib running on the topmast stay in a cutter or
yawl, and set above the other head sails. In these boats it has
sometimes been called the flying jib, though this is hardly a
correct name, as that sail belongs to schooners and other large
vessels.
Middle jib. — A jib belonging to schooners and large trading
vessels. It is set flying from the foretop mast or the fore top-
gallant mast to the end of the jib-boom. (See fig.)
Spitfire. — A name given to a very small jib used in boats ; reallv a
K 2
132 A DICTION AKY OF SEA TERMS.
sort of trysail, answering the same purpose as the storm jib — i. e., for
use only in dirty weather, or to keep steerage way on a boat. (See fig. )
Standing jib. — A jib set standing {which see).
Storm jib. — One for bad weather or winter use ; it is made of
stout canvas, and often, even for yachts, tanned. {See fig.)
Jib-headed sail. — A sail the shape of a jib — i.e., one pointed at the
head. Such is the jib-headed topsail. (See TOPSAIL.)
The following spars and ropes refer also to jibs :
Jib-boom. — A spar running out beyond the bowsprit to carry a
flying jib. {See fig.)
Flying jib-boom.— A boom run out beyond the jib-boom for the
flying jibs. (See fig. )
Jib down-haul, or in- haul ; Jib out-haul. — The ropes by which the
jib is hauled out or in along the bowsprit. Both are attached to the
traveller : the out-haul runs through a sheave at the bowsprit
head and then inboard ; the down-haul, or in-haul, comes from the
traveller directly inboard. (See fig.)
Jib guys. — (Only in large vessels.) Stays supporting a foremast
against the pressure of jibs.
Jib halyard. — The halyard which elevates the jib. In large
vessels it is often of chain, and is provided with a rope purchase on
one side, the chain belaying on the other. In fore-and-aft rigged
craft, such as yachts, smacks, etc., this rope takes its origin near
the mast head : it runs downwards and through a movable block,
after which it goes upward again through a fixed block on the mast,
and thence down to the deck, where, in small craft, it belays, usually
on the port side of the mast. When the jib is to be set, its tack is
shackled to a traveller (an iron ring) which runs it out on the bow-
sprit ; and its head to the lower block of the halyard, after which it
is hauled up taut. In a sloop, the bowsprit being a fixture, and the
forestay made fast to its end, the jib runs up the forestay on
hanks ; but in a cutter or a yawl, the forestay being carried only to
the stem-head, the jib is set flying, and the jib halyards then act as
a great stay to the bowsprit — more so, indeed, than does the top-
mast forestay. They must, therefore, be swigged up very taut when
sail is made, as this helps to strengthen the bowsprit.
Jib-iron. — Commonly called the traveller. An iron ring running
on the bowsprit, for setting the jib.
Jib sheets. — The ropes which work the jib. They are usually
composed of one rope doubled half-way, and fastened at the
bight (or bend) to the clew of the sail ; and eacli part is brought
down on either side of the forestay, and through fairleads, to be
belayed, either amidships, or (in boats) within reach of the helms-
man. In small craft the jib sheets are usually distinguished from
the fore-sheets by being thicker, and by being belayed aft of the
fore-sheets. A stopper knot should be made at the end of each jib
sheet when it is rove through its fairleads, to prevent their being
jerked away. A figure-of-eight knot answers this purpose well,
and is easily made. (See Knots.)
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 133
Jib-stay. — A stay upon which a jib is set. In fore-and-aft rig it
is peculiar to the sloop, being run out to the head of the fixed bow-
sprit, and taking the place of the forestay of a cutter in supporting
the mast. This arrangement constitutes the difference between
cutter and sloop rig (both of which see). In the cutter, however,
we also find that which is sometimes called the jib-stay, though,
so far as the staying of any spars is concerned, it is no stay at all,
and is more correctly called the jib out-haul, its office being to
haul out the jib along the bowsprit ; and to effect this it is usually
connected with a traveller, or ring on the bowsprit. Being attached
to this traveller, it is passed through a sheave at the bowsprit end
and then brought in and belayed either by the bowsprit bitts or
by the mast. When the jib is to be set it is shackled on to the
traveller, and, being hauled about half-way up the mast, is then
run out by the jib-stay, which is then belayed, while the jib-halyard
is set up and swigged upon.
Jigger. — Usually a small spar, or an extra mast. A bumpkin
is often spoken of as a jigger ox jigger-boom. (See diagram under
BOOM.) The small mast in certain barges, fitted to, and the
sail of which works with, the rudder, is sometimes called the
jigger. So also any very small mast and sail (though usually one
working with the rudder) may be called by the same name : for
which latter reason we occasionally hear a fishing boat, carrying
such a mast and sail, but otherwise sloop-rigged, called a jigger, or
jigger-rigged. The fourth mast in a four-masted ship is the jigger-
mast. (See under Mast.)
Jigger block. — A tail block (See Block) or a block to clap on to a
rope.
Jigger tackle. — A small tackle on a halyard or some other rope,
to increase the purchase. Also, a tackle holding a cable taut as it
leaves a capstan. It consists usually of no more than a single and
a double block.
Joggled timbers, joggle frame. — When the heads, or
timbers (ribs), of a boat are shaped, in the manner shown in the
figure under Build, so as to receive the strakes of a clincher built
boat, they are said to he joggled, and to form a, joggle frame.
John Dory (Jaune Dor6, Fr.). — A well-known fish. John
Dore was a notorious French pirate.
Johnnie. — The old naval term for a " bluejacket." The
seamen were called the johnnies and the marines jollies ; and both
these names, but more especially the former, have come into
general use in familiar conversation.
Join. — To join a ship is to go to and enter upon one's duty in
her.
Jolly. — The name given to a marine, just as a bluejacket is
called a Johnnie. The marines were called the "jolly marines,"
and hence, the " jollies."
134
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Jolly boat. — 1. In the Royal and Mercantile Navies, a small boat
used for marketing, landing inferior persons, etc. Some have in
recent years been fitted with engines. 2. In yachting, a boat,
corresponding to the dinghy.
Jolly jumper. — In old full rigged ships, sails set above the moon-
rakers, thus making seven square sails on a mast — viz., (1) main;
(2) maintop ; (3) top-gallant ; (4) royal ; (5) sky sail ; (6) moon-
raker ; (7) jumper. But they were always very rare, and only set
by the most inveterate of flying kite men. (See also Light Sails.)
Jump, — To make a jump joint with two planks or plates of iron
is to put them together (end to end or side to side) in such a manner
that they will present a smooth surface. Hence in shipbuilding it
is equivalent to carvel building (see Build) ; and when an iron
vessel is so built she is said to be jump jointed or jump printed.
Jumper. — A square sail set, on very rare occasions, on certain of
the old full-rigged ships : it formed a seventh square sail on each
mast (see Light Sails.)
Jumper stay. — A familiar name for the stay called triatic (which
see), and often seen in schooners. It runs from the mast head of
the main to the fore, and, therefore, takes the place of the main stay.
Junk. — 1. A ship common in China and Japan. 2. On ship-
board junks are old ropes which by long usage and saturation in
salt water have become hard and stiff. 3. Salt meat which has
become hard from long keeping is also called junk, because it is said
to resemble the old pieces of rope in its texture.
Jury. — The word, as used at sea, implies a substitute. Hence,
jury mast, a temporary mast,
either erected in a new vessel to
take her where she is to be
masted, or one taking the place
of a permanent mast carried
away, or one employed where it
is impossible to elevate the per-
manent mast. Barges navi-
gating rivers over which bridges
are numerous and low, use jury
masts habitually ; they may be seen daily on the London river,
between bridges. (See fig.)
Jury rudder. — A temporary or substitute rudder, or any
apparatus enabling a vessel to be steered when her rudder may
have been carried away.
K.
Eat. — An old timber vessel.
Heckling, or cackling. — In the days of hempen cables, wind-
ing old rope alxmt a cable — or the winding of iron chain round it
to prevent chafing. It was done " spirally (in opposition to round-
ing, which is close) with three incli old rope, to protect it from
chafing in the hawse holes." (Smyth.)
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 135
Kedge (Old English, brisk). — A small anchor carried hy large
vessels for use in shallow water, or for keeping the main anchor
clear. (See ANCHOR.) The smaller anchors carried hy yachts may
also be called kedges.
Kedging, or kedge hauling. — Working a vessel against tide, or in a
narrow channel by means of kedges. It is otherwise called warping
(which see).
Keel. — The word keel " seems originally to have signified an
entire ship ; for we read that the Saxons invaded England in caels,
ceols, or cynlis (i.e. , keels), and in early times a fleet was des-
cribed as so many keels. This signification partly lives in keelage,
which is a duty levied on vessels entering certain ports. " The coal-
carrying barges of the Tyne are also still called keels. The keel is
the principal timber in any vessel, resembling the backbone of the
human frame, while the side timbers constitute her ribs. It is the
foundation of the entire structure, and must be of the best material.
In small centreboard craft the keel must be sufficiently stout to
allow of a slit being cut through it to admit the board. In boats
the keel and garboards are sometimes of one piece. (See Frame.)
False keel. — This is a lower piece added to the main keel, usually
for the purpose of giving greater depth and weight. It may be of
iron or lead ; and is either bolted through the keel or, where this
cannot be done, secured by plates to the garboard strakes. In large
vessels it is composed of two pieces called "upper" and " lower;"
it is a great protection to the keel, and is occasionally attached to
it in sucli a manner that, in serious cases of grounding, it may come
off, leaving the main keel uninjured ; such cases are said to have
actually occurred.
Keelson (pronounced, and sometimes written, kelson). — An
addition to the keel inside the boat. It rests upon the keel and is
an indispensable member, taking the stepping of the mast. It
also serves to secure the feet of the timbers (ribs) on each side
of it. In large vessels we find, in addition to this :
Sister keelsons, or side keelsons, which keep the feet of the timbers
in their places ; also a keelson rider — an additional tinjber laid
along and above the keelson in large vessels to take the weight
of the masts and distribute it along the keelson, as that does
along the keel : it is sometimes called the false keelson.
The keel band, usually called the stem band, is a band of iron
helping to bind the head of the keel and the stempost together.
In doing this it assists the deadwood ; and it further acts as a
stout protection to the head of the keel. For illustrations of these
parts see diagrams under FRAME.)
Keel hauling. — An obsolete punishment once apparently practised
in the Dutch navy. The culprit was hauled up to the yard arm,
weights being attached to his feet, and being suddenly let fall, was
dragged by ropes under the keel of the vessel and up to the opppsite
yard arm. This was repeated a certain number of times according
to orders.
36 A DICTIONAF.Y OF SEA TERMS.
Keel rope (in ships). — " A rope running between the keelson and
the keel of a ship, to clear the limber holes when they are choked
up with ballast, etc."
Even keel and uneven keel. — Terms used in expressing the
manner in which a boat floats. If she balances evenly in a fore-and-
aft direction she is on an even
EVEN KEFI
keel. If she is depressed either
by the head or by the stern she
is on an uneven keel (see fig.).
But the same terms are often,
though not correctly, used ■" \ ,S
(especially among rowing men) V uneven *ffi .-■ — -^""\
in reference to her trim gener-
ally ; so that if she lies over on one side they still say she is on an
uneven keel. And of a sculler who keeps his boat very level,
laterally, they are apt to say that he keeps it on an even keel.
Keel-deeters. — Women who clean out the Northumbrian keels for
the sake of the sweepings of small coal.
Keeler. — A small tub.
Keeling. — A name in the North Sea Fisheries for the common cod.
Keep. — "Keep her away !" — An order to a helmsman to keep a
vessel's head more off, that is to keep her more before the wind.
" Keep your luff!" — Keep the vessel close to the wind (see Luff).
" Keep full for stays /" — Keep the sails full preparatory to putting
the vessel about (see Tacking).
" Keep the land a'board!" — Keep as near the land as may be safe.
Kelds. — The still parts of a river which have an oily smooth-
ness while the rest of the water is ruffled.
Kellagh. — Another name for killiek. It once meant a wooden
anchor weighted with stone.
Kelp. — The ash of sea weed, used in the manufacture of iodine.
Kelpie. — A sea bogey or spirit, which haunts the fiords of
Northern Britain.
Kelter. — This word has a meaning somewhat akin to the term
" fettle," as used by horsemen. A vessel is said to be in fine kelter
when she is well ordered and well found, and ready for sea ; or
when, in fact, she is in " good fettle."
Kempstock. — An old name for a capstan.
Kennets. — Large cleats or kevels [which see).
Kentledge. — A term signifying "pigs," or shaped pieces of
iron, as ballast, laid fore-and-aft near the keelson or in the limbers
of a vessel, and therefore sometimes called limber -kentledge. The
term may also mean goods used in lieu of ballast, these being called
kentledge goods.
Kerf. — The sawn away slit in any piece of timber.
Kersey. — "A coarse stuff used on many occasions in a ship, such
as in boxing of the stem, and lining the ports, for the purpose of ex-
cluding the water, also to cover the main ropes, etc." (Falconer.)
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
137
Kervel.— (See Cleat.) . ,
Ketch.-A trading vessel with two masts, main and mizzen.
Various Ketches.
138 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Both these masts are fore-and-aft rigged, the mizzen with or with-
out a topsail ; and there is, in addition, often a large lower square
sail set on the main mast. The ketch is, in fact, of all our coast-
ing traders, perhaps the most capable of variety in its rig. It may
set one, two, or even three square sails on the mainmast ; as many
as four head sails ; and one, or even two staysails between masts.
These features distinguish it from the yawl (which see. )
Within a recent period the ketch threatened to become somewhat
rare. But of late years it has been greatly revived in the coasting
trade, and many new vessels of this class have been built, especially
upon the East Coast.
It is said that the ketch was once a common rig for yachts : and
it may still be met with on rare occasions, Lord Dunraven owning
one which is occasionally raced.
Kettle. — Kettle bottomed vessel. — One with flat floor and bulging
sides ; resembling, in fact, the form of a kettle.
" A fine kettle offish !" — " Here's a nice mess to be in !"
Kevel. — A cleat (ivhich see).
Kevel heads. — The ends of the top timbers (ribs) of a vessel which,
rising above the gunwale, serve to belay ropes, or take a round
turn so as to hold on by a warp, etc.
Key. — Key model. — A model sometimes made by yacht builders
of a boat they are to build, on the lines laid down.
Key of a rudder. — The fastenings, i.e., the forelocks, pins, etc.
Otherwise the goodgeons and pintles (which see.)
Kid, otherwise kit (which see). 1. A small wooden tub for grog
or rations. It often has two ears by which to hold it. 2. A com-
partment in a fishing vessel for the storing of fish ; but since the
" fleeting " system has come in (i.e., the system under which vessels
fish together in fleets, their catches being taken from them daily
by steam boats) the storing of fish on board vessels is going out.
Killick, killock, or killagh. — A small anchor ; or, along
some parts of the coast, a grapnel, when it is also called a creeper.
(See also Kellagh.)
King. — King Arthur. — A game at one time played on board
vessels. A certain person represented the king, in which enviable
position he was subjected to as much sousing as his subjects chose
to give him ; and this went on until he was able to make one of the
party laugh, when it became that one's turn to assume royalty and
receive his share of drenching.
King's bargain. — An old naval term. A strange man pressed on
board a king's ship might turn out a good or bad bargain to the king.
King's benchers. — Another naval term applied to those galley
orators who loved to hear the sound of their own voices, or to
make long speeches.
King's own. — Still another relic of old days. It was one of many
names given to the salt beef supplied to the people. (See also Junk,
"Irish Horse," under Horse, etc.)
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS. 139
King's parade. — The quarter deck of a man of war, which is
saluted when stepping on it, in honour of the king.*
Kink (in a rope). — A sharp bend (drawn almost to a loop) ;
always dangerous, hut more especially
so in wire roping. " Rope used in the ^ ^^ags ^»gSEss &5aa-i£ r-
artillery service is coiled with the sun, Wkink
i.e., from left to right, in which direc-
tion the yarns are also twisted, so as to avoid kinking."
Kippage (old term). — A ship's company.
Kit. — Any small vessel or tub capable of containing provisions or
liquids, such as the soup sometimes given at sea. Sometimes, too,
the term would appear to signify a ration, as a" kit of beef. " A
boat's baler, or any old can or pot employed in that capacity, is also
occasionally dignified by the name of kit. (See also KlD.)
A kit also means a person's clothing, such as may be put in a kit bag.
Knees. — " Crooked pieces of timber, having two branches or
arms, and generally used to connect the beams of a ship with her
sides or timbers." They may be of wood or iron ; elm or ash are the
best woods, and the knees are of one piece naturally grown to the
shape, which renders them very costly, and for which reason they are
now often replaced by iron brackets. A wooden vessel contains a
vast number of knees. Knees are also called elbows, and sometimes
chocks. They are variously named, according to their position and
use : as dagger knees, those placed obliquely ; diagonal knees, hanging
knees, helm-post knees, lodging knees, those placed horizontally in
the ship's body ; standard or standing knees, with one arm vertical ;
transom knees, wing-transom knees, etc. ; knee of the head, usually
called the cutwater (which see), etc.
Knigh.th.eads (in shipbuilding). — The heads (or small posts)
at the stem of a vessel, between which the bowsprit runs. In small
craft the stemhead forms one of these posts, and another smaller
one is set up, usually on the port side of
it ; in this case the smaller head is called Knicwt head*
the knighthead. It will be seen that "- — Wm^
since the bowsprit in such craft as
yachts, sailing boats, fishing smacks,
etc., usually runs out on the deck, the
bulwarks cannot be carried right up
to the stemhead. One of the offices of
the knightheads, therefore, is to take
the forward end of the bulwarks, leav-
ing an aperture for the bowsprit to pass
through. The case is different in large
vessels, where the knightheads are carried up on each side of the
stemhead, being, in fact, prolongations of the foremost cant-timbers
of the ship. Here they are sometimes also called bollard-heads.
* These terms should perhaps find their place under the heading Queen. As
ancient terms they are, however, placed as in old works.
140 A DICTIONABY OP SEA TEEMS.
Knit. — The technical name for a twist in a chain.
Knittles. — Nettles or reef-points. — Small lines used for various
purposes at sea, as to reef sails from below, etc. The loops or
buttons of a sail's bonnet are also sometimes so called. {See BONNET.)
Knot. — A knot, a nautical mile per hour, is a measure of
speed, but is not infrequently, though erroneously, used as
synonymous with a nautical mile. (See Mile.) The name is
derived from the knots formerly tied in the log line to determine
a ship's speed. {See Lead.)
Knots (the fastening of ropes). — The art of knot-tying at
sea must necessarily be perfect ; for the whole safety of a vessel
under sail depends upon it. There are a vast number of knots if
all those which have been invented for various purposes be counted ;
but a few only need occupy the attention of the amateur sailor.
These, however, are absolutely essential to his safety, and with
them he should become completely familiar. The knots in general
use at sea may be classed (for present purposes) as follow : —
splicings, whippings, lashings, hitches, bends, bowlines, and
stopperings.
N.B. It is important in
making knots to take
plenty of rope in hand,
and not to make them
too near the end. The
technical names for the
various parts of a rope are
(see tig. 1) — 1. The stand-
ing part ; 2. The bight or
bend ; 3. The end. v r ,
SPLICING.— The ob-
ject of this is to join two ends of rope permanently together. There
are three forms of splicing in general use : 1. The long splice ; 2.
The short splice ; 3. The eye-splice.
1. " The long splice is used to unite two ends which have to pass
through a block. It is formed by untwisting the two ends, and
interweaving the strands of one in the alternate strands of the
other : they must be hauled well through and beaten with a marline
spike." Beyond this, it is impossible to teach on paper the
method of making this splice ; but it is easily to be learned from
some fisherman, and is a very useful art to be master of.
2. The short splice is for joining two ends of rope together
for ordinary use. This, too, though easily learned, is difficult
to teach on paper. The accompanying diagrams (fig. 2) will,
however, explain the principle of the method. 1st motion : Unlay
the strands of each rope and place the ends close together, so that
the unlaid strands fit into each other as in the fig. 2nd motion:
Take the left-hand rope and the three strands of the right-
hand one firmly in the left hand. Take the strand A, pass
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
141
it over the strand nearest to it and under the next (as in the
small figure) : this is the middle^ strand ; see that this is right
and the others should
two strands B and C.
opposite three strands.
The first portion of the
follow. Do the same with the other
Turn the ropes and do the same with the
A
6
MOTION
splicing is now accom-
plished. Repeat it a
second time. 3rd mo-
tion : Unlay each of the
six projecting strands
(as at A), and cut half
the yarns away (as at
B), the object of this
being that the splice
may be finished off
neatly. Pass all these
reduced strands once
more (or if necessary,
twice) under the main
strands and cut off the
ends, not too close.
The splice is complete.
3. The eye-splice (fig.
3) forms an eye or cir-
cle at the end of a rope.
The end of the rope is
unlaid, and a portion
of the standing part,
sufficiently far down, is
laid open to receive the
loose strands, which are
spliced in just the same
way as in splicing two
ropes together.
WHIPPING. — To
whip a rope is to bind
the end of it with spun
yarn, usually tarred, so
that the end may not
unravel. The simplest
method of whipping is
as follows (fig. 4, page 142): 1st motion: Lay the yarn on the rope an
inch or more from the end and begin binding. 2nd motion: Con-
tinue binding until within three or four laps of the finish. Then
make a large bend with the yarn, holding the end firmly down with
the thumb. Continue binding with the yarn at A, taking it over B.
3rd motion : Having taken three or four laps over the ytim B, pull
the end C tightly down. Cut it off, and the whipping is complete.
Fig
complete:
2.— Short Splice.
142
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Fig. 3.— Eye Splice.
LASHING. — The commonest lashing is the reef or right knot.
It has a multitude of uses, as for tying the head of a sail to its
gaff, a top sail to its yard, etc., but it
derives its name (reef) from the fact
that reef points are always tied with
this knot. It is with the reef knot
that the mistake so often occurs which
results in an unsafe fastening called
the ''''granny.''' The diagram (fig. 5)
will show the difference between these.
The invariable rule for tying the reef
knot is — whichever end is uppermost
after the first motion, must be upper-
most in beginning the second. The
reef knot, when so tied that it may be
more easily undone, is called a draw
knot, and may be either single or
double. In the single draw knot, the
first motion of the reef knot having
l>een made, a bend is made in one of
the projecting ends, and that bend or
double-end is used to finish the knot ,
with the other single end. In the
double draw knot both projecting ends
are doubled and the knot is finished with them, making, in fact, a bow.
Besides the reef knot, ropes may also be lashed together with
the common bend, the carrick bend, and others, while the lashing
of spars is accomplished by the use of the various hitches, bends, etc"
HITCHES. — Of
the latches there are
various sorts, the
most useful being
as follow : —
1. " Taking the
hitch." — This is
merely the turning -
under of a halyard
or sheet end, to
complete the belay-
ing of it round a
belaying pin or a
cleat. (See fig. under
Hitch.)
2. A half-hitch is
merely a turning-in
of the end of a rope.
3. Two halj '-hitches. —Another turn or hitch taken in the rope.
This knot is useful for quickly bending a rope round a post ; making
fast the painter of a boat to a rail ; bending a rope to a ring ; tyin<*
clew lines of hammocks, etc. (See fig. 6.) ° ' °
Fig. 4.— Whipping.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
143
TUGH.T
WRONG
4. Clove hitch. — One of the simplest and yet most useful knots
ever invented. It is one by which a weight can be hung to a
smooth mast, and is generally used where a rope is passed round any
spar to be hauled on. It may be employed, however, in place of the
half-hitch and often in place of a
bend, as for fastening a jib to its
stay, etc. The clove hitch may be
made in two ways, that is, either
round a spar, or in the hand and
then slipped over the spar. (See
fig. 7, page 144.)
5. Timber hitch. — For taking a
rope quickly round a bollard or a
spar, or for moving a weight. The
end of the rope is taken round the
object and simply turned over twice
as in the diagram (fig. 8, page 145).
6. Blackmail hitch. — To make fast
a rope to a hook for a temporary
SintU or Milf Milch
Fig. 5.— Reef ok Right Knot
and "Granny."
Fig. 6.— Two Half-hitches.
pull: it is not unlike "taking the hitch." The knot is very
simple, as will be seen from the diagram (fig. 9, page 145).
7. Harness hitch. — This knot derives its name from the fact
that it is often used to harness men to a tow-line. It has various
other uses, however, inasmuch as it enables a loop to be quickly
144
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
made in a rope the ends of which are already engaged. Its
one disadvantage is that when being drawn tight it is apt to
turn itself in such a manner as to slip, even though it may be
quite correctly made. Extreme care must, therefore, be taken
in drawing it close ; but when once tight it is safe. For practice
this knot may be made on the ground, or on a table ; but for use it
is generally made in the hand, when it is best to place the right foot
on the right hand part of the rope, or a foot on each side. (Reference
must be made to fig. 10, page 145.) 1st motion: Make a large loop,
laying right over left. 2nd motion: Pick up A and bring it over B.
3rd motion: Place the hand under B and grasp the rope at C. ±th
motion: Draw C right through, as in the diagram, and tighten.
/iS2>r HOUND
/» SPA ft
TO SUP OV€R
A SPAR
COMPLETE
Fig. 7.— Clove Hitch.
8. The magnus hitch may also be occasionally found useful, in
bending a rope to the shackle of an anchor or to a ring, though the
fisherman's bend [see below) answers the same purpose and is more
satisfactory.
BENDS. — The bends also are numerous and varied. They derive
the name from the word "bend," which means to "fasten on," as
bending a sail to the spars, one rope to another, a rope to an anchor
or ring, etc.
1. Comm/m bend (fig. 11). — Almost the only knot by which two
ropes of greatly differing sizes can be joined together. To make the
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
145
•- N -^^^^^^^'
1
f^^y*
v_i
COMPUTE.
^==X
.Fig. 11.— Common Bend.
Fig. jo.— Harness Hitch.
L
146
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
knot let one rope be regarded as stationary, the other as working.
Bend the left hand, or stationary rope, into the form of a simple hook,
and then pass the working rope as shown. When this knot is used
to bend a rope to a cringle, or a sheet to its sail, it is called the^
2. Sheet bend (fig. 12), which is
formed by passing the end of the rope
through the cringle and taking two
turns round that, under the bight.
3. Fisherman's bend (fig. 13), for
bending a rope to a ring or to the
shackle of an anchor. 1st motion : Two
turns round the ring, going over the
standing part each time. 2nd motion:
Two half hitches, the first enclosing
both turns.
4. Halyard bends. — Top-sail or lug-
sail halyards may be bent to their
yards in several ways, the most usual
being the Clove hitch, the Fisherman's
bend, or that which is sometimes called
the top-sail halyard bend, in which three turns are taken round the-
spar, beginning the knot by passing the rope underneath, andthen.
finishing as in the diagram (fig. 14).
Fig. 12.— Sheet Bend.
COMPlETt
Fig. 13.
Fisherman's Bend.
Fig. 14.
Halyard Bend.
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
147
BOWLINE.— This knot is extremely use-
ful. It serves to make a large loop at the end
of a hawser or any other rope, which may
he thrown over a bollard for hauling on to.
A running knot may also be made by pass-
ing the main part of the rope through this
tt/u
Fig. 15.— Bowline.
J
Fig. 16.— Collar Knot.
loop. The bowline may be left permanently on the rope, for use
at any moment. The diagram (fig. 15) will explain the method
of making it.
COLLAR KNOT (fig. 16), for fitting shrouds to a small mast.
Two ropes being taken (or one long one doubled into two legs), a
simple overhand loop {see fig.) is made in the
middle of one, and the other rope passed through
this, the loop being then passed over the head of
the mast. Thus there will be four shrouds, two
on either side. The fishermen occasionally use
this in case of their shrouds breaking.
STOPPER KNOTS.— These are for prevent-
ing the end of a rope from flying loose or slip-
ing through some nng or fairlead, and may be
therefore of various sorts. The simplest is
the common over-hand thumb or end knot,
which is no more than a turning-in of the
end of the rope. An equally simple and very
elegant one is the figure of eight, with which
the ends of jib or foresail sheets are often
stoppered. Both will be understood by the
diagram (fig. 17). Another is the Matthew
Walker. — "A knot so termed from the origina-
tor. It is formed by a half-hitch on each
strand in the direction of the lay, so that
the rope can be continued after the knot is F1 eight° F
formed, which shows as a traverse collar of ' pi G 17
*L 2
Thumb.
148
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
three strands. It is the knot often used on the end of the lan-
yards of rigging, where dead-eyes are employed."
SLIP KNOT or running knot. — A very simple knot (see diagram,
tig. 18), which draws anything very close and slips easily.
Fiu. 18.
Running
Knot.
complete
Fig. 19.— Sheepshank.
Among other knots the sheepshank (fig. 19) will he found useful,
its object being to shorten a cable or warp both ends of which are
engaged. A study of the diagram will make the method plain.
Koff. — " A small two-masted vessel formerly employed in the
Dutch fisheries. It had two masts, main and fore, with a large
sprit sail abaft each. This arrangement enabled her to sail very
close to the wind, and she could set square sails if the wind happened
to be astern." (Brande and Cox.)
Kreel, or creel. — A framework of timber for taking fish, or for
preserving them in the water. An osier basket or pot. A crab pot.
A fishing basket.
Krennels. — The smaller cringles on a square sail for bowline
bridles, etc.
L.
L.L.L. — The three L's, — Lead, Latitude, Look-out. The motto
to which the old seamen pinned their faith, in preference to putting
any trust in modern appliances.
Labour. — When a vessel pitches and strains in a heavy sea she is
said to labour.
Lacing. — A thin rope for lacing a sail to a boom or yard, or to a
stay. A foresail may be made to run on the forestay either by
shackles or by a lacing. In racing yachts the mainsail is usually
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
149
J3oon\ Laeings
Lacings.
laced to the boom ; but
in cruisers this plan is
seldom followed. A jib-
headed topsail is occa-
sionally laced to the
topmast of a yacht ;
and a jack-topsail to
its yard.
Laden in bulk.
Carrying loose cargo,
such as salt, ice, some-
times corn, etc.
Ladies' ladder (in
ships). — Shrouds rat-
tled too closely, i.e.,
shrouds in which the
ratlines (which see) are
so close together that a lady might walk up them without difficulty.
Lagan, or ligsam. — In law, a term applied to goods jettisoned,
but secured by almoy or mooring. (See Flotsam and Jetsam.)
Laggers. — A name at one time given to men who were employed
in taking canal barges through tunnels, which they did by lying on
their backs and working with their feet along the head of the arch-
ways. This may still be seen on the inland canals, and is as often
as not assisted in by the women who live on board the canal boats.
Lagging and priming of the tides.— (In physics).— A
phenomenon of the tides, in consequence of which the intervals
between high water at any particular place are irregular. The
cause is the combined action of the sun and moon ; and the effect is
most apparent about the times of new and full moon. At these
times the tides are called spring tides, and are higher at high water
and lower at low water than during the periods of the first and
third quarters of the moon, when they are called neap-tides. (See
Making of the Tides.)
Laid np. — A vessel unrigged or dismantled during winter ; or
lacking employment.
Laid up in ordinary. — A naval term signifying that a ship is laid
up in a state of total inaction.
Lamb's-wool sky. — White masses of fleecy cloud, often por-
tending rain.
Land. — Lands. — In boat-building, the overlapping part of the
planks in a clincher-built boat. (See "Clincher- building," under
Build.)
Land-locked. — A bay or haven almost surrounded by land, and,
therefore, a safe haven.
Landmark. — Any conspicuous object on land, serving as a guide or
warning to ships at sea.
150 A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
Landsman. — At sea, the rating of a sailor ; the second-class
ordinary seaman. Formerly it meant one who had not before been
to sea.
Lanyards. — Short pieces of rope having various uses at sea, the
most important of which is the taughtening down of the shrouds of
a mast by the deadeyes {which see). One end of the lanyard being
passed through one of the holes in the upper dead-eye, is stop-knotted
to prevent its drawing out ; the other end is then rove up and down
through all the holes in the deadeyes, hauled taut, and, to keep it
taut, is lashed round the lanyard itself in a system of clove hitches.
Lapstrake. — The method of boat-building called clincher-build-
ing. (See Build.)
larboard.— The old term for " port, " or the left-hand side of
a vessel. The word being too much like " sta rboard " in sound,
was officially abolished.
Large. — " A phrase applied to the wind when it crosses the line
of a ship's course in a favourable direction, particularly on the beam
or quarter."
To sail large is, therefore, to go forward with a wind large. It is
the same as sailing free, or off the wind ; and the opposite to sailing
close-hauled or on the wind.
Lash. — To bind or make fast by ropes. To reef-knot two ropes
together is often called lashing them. (See Knots.)
A lashing is a rope securing any movable object.
Lash the tiller. — To tie the tiller down on one side or the other,
as is sometimes done in ships when trying, or in fishing boats when
trawling or dredging. With the tiller lashed a vessel is confined on
a certain tack and unable to run away from the wind. Hence, in
general conversation, when a person makes a determination from
which he will not be moved, he is sometimes said to " Lash the
tiller."
Lasher. — On the Upper Thames, the body of water just about
the fall of a weir and usually marked by a system of white posts set
up on the stonework. The lasher is often marked " Danger" : in
any case it is well to keep away from it.
Laskets, or latchets (occasionally called keys). — Small lines
sewed to the bonnet or to the drabler of a sail to lash, or lace, one to
the other.
Latching eye, or latchet eye. — The loops in the head of a bonnet
through which the laskets are passed.
Lasking (old term). — To go a' tasking is much the same as sailing
large (which see).
Lastage. — The ballast or lading of a ship.
Latch. — A " dropping to leeward. " (Winn).
Latchet. — See Laskets.
Lateen. — A rig peculiar to vessels navigating the Mediterranean
and other eastern seas. It consists of a triangular sail of large
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 151
size bent to a very long yard.
This rig was at one time very
much employed on the rivers of
Norfolk and Suffolk, but has
now become entirely obsolete.
The mast was stepped well
forward, was without shrouds or
-stay, and raked forward. The sail
was bent to a yard above and a
short boom below, the yard being
of immense length, sometimes -
twice that of the boat itself.
Latitude. — Distance north
or south of the Equator, ex-
pressed in degrees. Lateen Sail.
Launch. — 1. In the Royal
Navy, the principal boat belonging to a flag-ship.
2. To launch. — To put a new vessel into the water. The act is
always attended M'ith a certain amount of ceremony.
3. A launch, in the popular meaning of the word, is a small vessel
propelled by some motor, and generally used in harbour or river
service, or for pleasure. When it becomes large enough for coasting
work it is classed as a steam yacht. Of late years launches have
been made to run by either steam or electricity. Steam being un -
deniably dirty, and electricity both expensive and inconvenient, the
use of oil motors is steadily coining in. These have for some time
suffered under the charge of smell, which-, it must be confessed, has
been but justly brought against them. The difficulty is, however,
being surmounted ; oil engines are, at the time of writing, still
in their infancy, but we cannot help thinking that they must
eventually supersede both the other motors for use in small
boats.
Lay. — 1. This word at sea often means to " go," as Lay forioard
or aft, Go forward or aft.
To lay out upon a yard is to go out towards the yard arms.
To lay in off a yard. — To return towards the mast.
2. In another sense the term means to rest quiet, as to lay to, to
keep a vessel motionless by putting her head to wind and so dispos-
ing the sails that the effect of one may counteract that of another,
and therefore prevent her falling off from the wind.
To lay on one's oars, in other words to rest on the oars, is to leave
the oars on or just above the water, blades flat.
To lay in the oars. — To unship and lay them down in the boat.
3. But in another sense, again, it may imply precisely the opposite,
as " Lay to " (in rowing), an encouragement to row hard, or, in any
work, to go to work with a will.
4. In shipbuilding, to lay down the lines of a vessel, is to delineate
her form according to rule (See Lines), and when it is thus shown
her bines are said to be " laid down."
152
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Laying off. — The modelling in thin wood of any section -of- a,
vessel under construction.
5. In ropemaking, the lay of a rope is the direction in which the
strands are twisted. Thus if they turn in a right hand direction,
as is the general case, they constitute that which is called hawser-
laid, while left-handed rope is called cable-laid, cablet, or water-
laid. {See Rope.)
6. Lay-day. — The day hy which a cargo must he shipped or dis-
charged, " and if not done within the term, fair weather permitting,
the vessel comes out on demurrage," — i. e. , compensation may De-
claimed hy the shipper, for delay. Thus we have the description of
Captain Cuttle :
" A rough hardy seaman,
Unused to shore's-ways,
Knew little of ladies,
But much of lay-days."
Lazy guy. — A rope or tackle hy which a boom is held down
so that it may not swing about in rough weather.
Lead. — 1. (For sounding, commonly called the lead and line). —
A leaden weight attached to the end of a line and used to ascertain
the depth of water beneath a vessel and the nature of the soil-
There are two lead lines, the
deep sea lead carried only by large
vessels, and the hand lead with
which every form of sailing craft
should be furnished when going
into strange waters. The hand
lead is 20 fathoms in length,
and has a distinguishing mark
at every fathom ; these divisions
are called marks and deeps, or
dips. In a regulation lead line
there are nine marks placed at
the intervals 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13,
15, 17, 20 : the rest are the deeps.
The marks 2, 3, and 10 may be
known bysmall pieces of leather,
the 2 having two ends, and the
3 three ends, while the 10 has a
hole through it. The fathoms
5 and 15 are marked by white
bunting ; 7 and 17, red ; 13, blue ;
and 20 by two knots. The weight
may be of any shape, but it
should have a hollow bottom which may be filled with tallow, so
that a portion of soil is brought up, thereby enabling an ex-
perienced person to judge his position by reference to his notes ;
but this is of little use to the amateur. In heaving the lead it should
Hand Lead.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 153
be swung well out forward and stopped running the moment it jerks.
To know when it does this it must be allowed to run through the
hands. It is interesting to notice that the sounding lead is men-
tioned by Lucilius. It was also the sund-gyrd of the Anglo-Saxons.
2. Lead (for ballast). — The best but at the same time the most
expensive ballast for small boats. (See Ballast.)
Leadfair. — Any ring, or block, or liole which leads a rope in the
direction required. (See FAIELEAD.)
Leading. — 1. (Of atackle). — The leading part of a tackleis that
part of the rope which leads towards the standing (or fixed) end,
and is, therefore, the moving part of the rope. (See TACKLE.)
Smyth describes it as the rope of a tackle which runs between the
fall and the standing part, and generally confounded with the fall.
2. (Of the wind). — A leading wind is a free or fair wind, in con-
tradistinction to the term a scant wind (which see).
3. Leading strings. — Another name for yoke lines. (SeeYoKR.)
Leak. — Any split, hole, or fissure in the hull of a vessel which
allows water to enter. When a vessel suddenly develops a leakage she
is said to have sprung a leak. Small leaks may sometimes be stopped
by fathering (see F OTHER) : in boats it is customary to apply tingles.
When a boat lets in the water between her planks she is described
as leaky : this may be the result either of laying up ashore, or of
age and strain. In the latter case, and if the boat be clincher -built,
it is sometimes remedied, for a time, by doubling (which see).
The signal N.S. of the International Code signifies "I have
sprung a leak."
Lean bow. — A sharp entrance (which see).
Leather (of an oar). — That part of the oar which works in the
rowlocks. It is so called because it is bound with leather. (See Oae. )
Lee and Leeward (pronounced foo-axd or lew-ard). — The lee
side of a vessel is the side opposite to that upon which the wind
blows ; the other side being called the windward or weather side.
Leeward means " on the lee-side" ; thus a vessel to leeward would be
seen over the lee side. To be under the lee of any vessel, object, or
shore, is to be under its shelter ; that is, on the lee side of it. So
that if we pass close under shelter of a large ship which may take all
the wind out of our sails, we come under its lee ; or if we lie at anchor
close under a shore off which the wind is blowing, and receive, there-
fore, the shelter of its cliffs, we hie under the lee of that shore.
A lee shore, on the 3>i re c t i o n.
otherhand,isashore " C . ..■, ; , ; . .
upon which the wind
blows ; so that if we
are driven by the
force of the wind
towards such a shore
we are said to be , ?"- £ . X nd iVL
, . , l ;e 6hore the Lee
driven upon a lee . tfie ikorz
shore. (See hg. 1.) Fia ^
154
A DICT10NAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
Wind
Wini
A lee tide is a tide running in the same direction as the wind
blows. A tide under the lee is a tide in a direction opposite to that
of the wind.
In explanation of this let us suppose ourselves sailing with the
wind a'beam. (See fig. 2.) If the tide is in the same direction as
the wind (or, in other
words, if it runs towards
the leeward), carrying us
away with it, we have
a lee tide. But if the
tide runs to windward,
that is, up against the
wind, it is a weather
tide ; and hecause it presses against the lee side of the boat, it is,
therefore, said to be under its (the hoat's) lee. (fig. 2.)
Lee-way is the difference (or distance) between the course steered
by a vessel and that actually run, when the wind is on any part
of her side. In fig. 3 A is the position of the ship. If the
wind or current (or both) be coming
TiSe
Weather Tide.
Fig. 2.
Lee Tide.
B>-— -
•p.
— »•
it.;
r c
or current
from the direction marked and the
point B is to be made, the helms-
man will take into account the " x ,
action of wind and current, and
will steer his boat towards another N *
point C, some distance above B. ^ v
A C is, therefore, the course \
steered ; A B the course actually \
run ; and the distance between
these, viz., B C, is the lee way.
Lee way must always be calculated
upon when sailing with a side Fig. 3.
wind, with a lee-tide, or with the
tide under the lee. Naturally with a lee- tide there will be very much
more lee-way made than if the tide be under the lee ; and this will
become very apparent to the beginner as soon as he takes the tiller
in hand. Very much more
lee-way will also be
made by flat - bottomed
vessels such as barges,
than by those having deep
keels or centreboards which
present a wide surface to
oppose a current. To coun-
teract this tendency to
lee- way, therefore, such
flat-bottomed vessels are
furnished with : —
Lee-boards (fig. 4), which
are flat boards let down on Fig. 4.
LEE
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 155
either side of a wall-sided vessel, such as a barge or ketch, and
serving in the place of a keel. There is one on each side of the
vessel, and that one on the lee side is lowered when sailing, the
pressure of the water keeping it in place.
Lee-helm. — The tendency of a vessel to run away from the wind
when sailing, therefore necessitating that the helm be kept a'lee.
The term is more fully explained under the heading Helm.
All these terms are in daily use among seafaring and yachting
men, and should be thoroughly understood by the beginner.
Lee-gage. — The distance to leeward of any given object, in con-
tradistinction to weather-gage (which see).
Lee-fanges. — "Ropes reeved into cringles of sails to haul down
those parts of such sails."
Lee-hatch. — A cant phrase, as " Keep off the lee hatch, " which
means, " Do not let the vessel make more lee-way than can be
helped."
' Lee ho!" — Equivalent to "'Bout ho!" A shout of warning
given by a helmsman to those in his boat, that he is going to put
about. Upon hearing this warning, all those on board will do well
to lower their heads, or by some other means to get out of the way
of the boom as it swings over.
Lee runners. — Another name for those backstays which are
slackened as sails go over. They are called lee runners because it
is those on the /ee-side which have to run or be loosed.
Leech (meaning " lee-edge "). — The aftermost (back-most) or
lee margin of a sail. This definition will apply equally to all sails ;
but there is this difference to be noted between those of the square
rig and those of the fore-and-aft, viz., as square sails change their
positions constantly, there can be no such thing as a permanent
after edge, while, if they are set with the wind directly aft, the
edges of each side are, theoretically, in the same position. But
in fore-and-aft rig such is not the case : the edge of the mainsail
nearest the mast, for instance, is always the foremost edge of the
sail, and is permanently, therefore, the luff; and for the same reason
the edge of the sail away from the mast is always the leech. Either
side of a square sail, on the other hand, is the luff when it is the
weather edge, and the leech when it is the lee edge.
Leech lines. — In square rig, lines from the leeches, or edges of a
square sail, on either side, to blocks hung on the yard at the other
side of the sail : they therefore cross each other. Leech lines brail
up the sails.
Leech rope. — The bolt-rope running along the leech of a sail.
Leg. — 1. Roughly speaking, when a rope resolves itself into
two or more parts it is said to have legs. Thus, the topmast
shrouds in a yacht continue only a little below the cross-trees.
The reason for this is that when the top-mast is housed (lowered
for a time) its shrouds may be only of such a length as to lie
conveniently secured close to the main shrouds. For were they so
long as to reach the deck when the mast was elevated there would
156
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
be difficulty in stowing away so much wire-roping
when the mast was down. It is evident, however,
that when the topmast is raised, its shrouds must
he set up (tightened) by some means or other ; and
the most convenient method of accomplishing
this is to fix a block at the end of the shrouds,
through which block a line, or hempen rope, is
rove, so that when it is hauled upon, the shrouds
are tightened, and when the mast is struck, this
tackle may be unshackled and stowed away in a
convenient place. This rope, then, is called the
legs. (See fig.)
But at sea, almost any rope which branches out
in more than one direction is said, as above men-
tioned, to have legs. Thus the bowlines of square
sails branch out into several legs, each leg being
attached to the leech of the sail at a different
point, so that the sail may be held, as it were, by
several ropes, and perfectly flat : these brandies
are the bowline legs. So also are bunt lines often
divided into various legs called the bunt-line-legs.
2. Legs are also wooden beams which support
a boat in an upright position when she lies high
and dry.
" To have her legs on." — An expression often used of a boat when
she sails fast.
Long-legged. — Said of a vessel when she draws a great depth of
water, and would, therefore, require very long legs to support her
high and dry.
3. Leg-of-mutton sail (sometimes called shoulder- of -mutton sail). —
A triangular main sail sometimes used in small boats ; and occasionally
as a trysail in small yachts. It is an adaptation from the Mudian
rig {which see), and derives its name from its shape, which is supposed
to resemble a leg or shoulder of mutton.
Length. — There are two measures of length to a boat ; 1st.
Length on the water line ; 2nd. Length over all, which is her entire
length from stem to stern.
Let. — Let draw (spoken of sails). — To let the jib or foresail
go over, as a boat goes about. {See under Jib and Foresail.)
Let go. — -To slacken away a rope, or let it go altogether.
Let out a reef. — To increase the area of a sail which has been
reefed by loosening the reef points, and letting the confined (or
reefed) part of the sail go.
Liabilities. — It is with a boat as with a house ; and, indeed, the
liabilities are greater on the boat. All money owing on a boat, all
dues or claims upon her, pass over, when she changes hands, to the
new owner. Purchasers of second-hand craft will be wise, therefore,
to satisfy themselves before completing a contract that the property is
free : and it is always well to have a written guarantee to this effect.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 157
Liberty. — Leave to go ashore.
Liberty-men. — Those belonging to a ship's company who are
ashore on leave.
Lie. — Lie by. — To be waiting, or put by for a time.
Lie over. — To be heeled or careened over, as a boat, when sailing
under press of canvas, lies over.
Lie within 4 points, & points, etc. — (See under SAILING.)
Lie on the oars. — To pause in rowing : the same as lay on one's
oars (which see).
Lie to (in sailing). — To remain without motion. (See Lay to.)
Life. — Lifeboat. — The principle of the lifeboat as now used
by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution is as follows. The boat
is about 30ft. long with 8ft. beam, nearly flat bottomed and
weighted with a heavy keel. It is propelled by eight or twelve oars,
rowed double-banked ; but is also rigged with two masts carrying
working-lug and mizzen and fore-sails. Occasionally, though rarely, it
is furnished with a steam engine and propeller. The bow and stern
rise about 2ft. above the main portion, forming air-tight chambers :
compartments also run all round just below the gunwales. The
boat has a false bottom
raised above the water
line, the space between
this and the bottom
being packed with cork;
and through this space
run several valves, being
open tubes through
which, should a sea fill the boat, her false bottom being above water
bine, the water is immediately discharged. Thus the boat is unsinkable
and almost uncapuzable ; and should she capuze must quickly right
herself. An efficient lifeboat is held capable of carrying one adult
person to every 10 cubic feet of capacity ; to which capacity she must
also have l£ft. of air-tight compartments. Lifeboats are kept up
entirely by voluntary contributions. The Institution is, conse-
cpiently, always in want of funds and support. The number of
lives it saves annually may be counted in hundreds. Lifeboats are
manned by volunteers ; but only experienced men are chosen unless
there be a lack of numbers. They are paid for work by day 10s.,
by night £1 ; day and night being counted from 12 o'clock to 12
o'clock.
Lifeboat cutter (in the Royal Navy). — A long gig (from 23ft. to
28ft.), propelled by six or eight oars, for the use of superior officers.
Life-buoy, life-belt, life-jacket. — Any apparatus which is suffi-
ciently buoyant to support a man in the water may be called a life-
buoy. The use and appearance of life-buoys are well known ; it
cannot be too strongly urged that they be always kept handy, whether
in boats or along shore. Besides the ordinary Kisbie's (zone shaped )
buoys of canvas-covered cork, there are various kinds, the most con-
venient and portable being perhaps those which are blown out and
158
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
tied round the body under the arms. Everyone
learning to sail should wear one of these : their
cost is from 5s. to 10s. , and they may be ohtained
from almost any indiarabber warehouse. The
Board of Trade, however, recognises no contri-
vance that requires inflation as a life-jacket.
According to its regulations every jacket or
belt supplied to ships' boats (and there shall be
one to each oarsman and one to the coxswain)
must float for 24 hours with a weight of 231bs.
upon it, and must weigh only 5lbs. when dry.
That shown in the figure is the one employed
by the Admiralty. Buoys must be of cork and
capable of bearing 321bs. of iron for 24 hours,
or if not of cork the weight to be borne is
increased to 40lbs.
To use a life-buoy. — Keep as low as possible
in it : a person endeavouring to raise the body
oixt of the water by the life-buoy is in danger
of being turned over.
To throw a life-buoy. — It should be thrown
flat, as a quoit is pitched. This must be done with
judgment and coolness ; and if a person fall over-
board from the fore end of a vessel, the life-buoy
must be carried aft before being thrown.
Life-line. — 1. Any rope stretched along part
of a vessel to prevent a person from falling
overboard. 2. Any rope for throwing to
a drowning person. Such ropes are always
kept in readiness at the various stations of
the Royal Humane Society.
Life-saving. — 1. Rocket apparatus. — Instruc-
tions issued by the Board of Trade for the Inflated Life-Belt
guidance of masters and seamen when using the rocket apparatus
for saving life, may be obtained by any person at any mercantile
marine office, free of charge. They are also published in Lloyd's
" Seamen's Almanac." (See under Rocket.)
2. Restoration of the apparently
drowned. [See under Drowned.)
Lifts. — In square rigged ships, ropes
passing through blocks at the mast-
heads, taking the weight of the yards,
and enabling them to be trimmed. In
some vessels they also act as sheets for
the sails above. " The yards are said
to be squared by the lilts when they
hang at right angles with the mast, i.e.,
parallel with the horizon when the
vessel is upright in the water. " Lifts.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 159
Topping lift. — A rope passing through a hlock at the mast-head
and down to the guy end of a boom, to enable it to be topped
(lifted) when reefing, tricing, etc. (See Top.)
Light. — A vessel is said to be "light" when she is without cargo,
and consequently high out of water.
To light is a term sometimes used by sailors instead of to help ;
as " Light along that rope. "
Light sails. — In square rigged ships, the flying /cites; i.e., as a
rule, the sky sails and their accompanying studding sails. But
there were extraordinary occasions when some of the old bine-
ships and East Indiamen could set no less than three sets of square
sails above the royals; viz. — the sky sails, the moon rakers, and
the jumpers (or jolly jumpers). A ship thus equipped and with
her six jibs was literally under every stitch of canvas, even to the
last pocket-handkerchief.
Lights. — The rules for lights to be carried and exposed by ships at
sea come under the " Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea,"
Articles 2 to 11. From these we may deduce the following. [See fig.
page 160.) Art. 3. — A steamship under weigh exposes, on the star-
board side a green light ; on the port side a red light ; on the mast
(about 20 ft. up) a white light. Art. 4. — A tug, or a steamship
towing another vessel. — On the mast 2 white lights (one under the
other); the starboard and port-bights as above. Art. 5. — A vessel
not under command (i. e. , which cannot get out of the way) , on the
mast (about 20 ft. up) 3 red lights (one above the other), or if it
be a vessel laying or picking up a cable, 2 red lights and 1 white one
(the white one in the middle), one above the other ; and by day —
3 black balls, or shapes, in the same position. Art. 0. — A sailing ship
under way, or being towed, on starboard side green, on port side red,
that is, side lights just the same as the steamers ; but never a mast
light unless at anchor. Art. 7. — " Whenever, as in the case of small
vessels during bad weather, the green and red lights cannot be fixed,
these lights shall be kept on deck, on their respective sides of the
vessel, ready for use ; and shall, on the approach of or to other
vessels, be exliibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to
prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and
so that the green bight shall not be seen on the port-side, nor the
red bight on the starboard side." Art. 8. — All and any vessels at
anchor expose 2 white light (not more than 20 ft. above the hull),
called the riding light. Art. 9. — A pilot vessel engaged on her
station, 1 white light at the masthead, and flare-up bights at short,
intervals. Art. 10. — A vessel engaged in fishing, 2 white lights,
between 5 and 10 ft. apart, one only a little lower than the other,
the lower being the foremost. Art. 11. — A ship which is being over-
taken by another shall sIkjw from her stem to such last mentioned
ship a white light or a flare-up light. A dredging hulk in a channel
shows 3 white lights in the form of a triangle. The diagram illus-
trating the meeting of vessels, end on, may be found useful. Here
the port and starboard sides will, of course, appear to be reversed^
160 A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS.
Lighthouse. — A tower exhibiting a powerful light at its head
"^/^^dBii
— a landmark by day and by night, for which reason they are of
various forms. {See figs. ) In ancient times a lighthouse (that of
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
161
Stone Lighthouse.
Pharos) became one of the wonders
of the world. The appearances of
lights are varied so that navigators
may know the coast they are ap-
proaching. This is done princi-
pally by varying the intervals
between the appearance of the
light; by the exposition of two
or more lights ; and sometimes by
exhibiting a red light, the only
colour which can be used, all
others absorbing too many rays
to be of general service at sea.
There are, nevertheless, certain
exceptions to this rule : the Mouse
Light, for instance, in the Thames
Estuary, is green.
A revolving light is one in which
there is a stated interval between
each appearance. A flash light is
that in which the flashes follow so
quickly as to give almost the appear-
ance of scintillations. An intermit-
tent light is a fixed light suddenly
eclipsed and as suddenly revealed,
its appearance being quite unlike
that of the revolving light.
Light ship. — A light ship may
be called a floating lighthouse
securely moored on the margin of some dangerous rock or sand.
These ships are of peculiar form, and easily recognized. They
usually expose revolving lights.
Lighter.— A
powerful hull or
barge, flat bottomed,
for transporting heavy
goods ashore or up
rivers. They are ex-
tremely common on
the London river,
where they may daily be seen dropping either up or down with the tide,
being steered through the bridges by long sweeps (or oars. ) (See fig. )
Ligsam. — Another name for lagan (ivhich see).
Limbers. — Apertures in almost any part of a vessel, such as
the flat floors or through coamings, which are put there for the
purpose of allowing water to run away through them. But when
the word " limbers " is used without further distinction, it is usually
understood to mean the apertures through the flat-floor beams, at
M
Pile Lighthouse.
Thames Lighters.
162 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
the lowest part of the hull. The limbers of a ship may therefore
be called her main drains. They are gutters along her keelson, and
receive her bilge-water. (See diagram under FRAME.)
Limber boards. — Short pieces of planking forming part of a
vessel's lining, and usually capable of removal, so that the limbers
may be cleared. (See Frame. )
Limber kentledge. (See Kentledge.)
Limber passage. — The passage on each side of the keelson.
Limber st?-a/ces (in shipbuilding) are the planks running along
the lowest part of a vessel.
Linchpin. — A small iron pin passing through some shaft
axle or bar, such as the stock of an anchor. It is also sometimes
called a forelock.
Line. — A small rope : as bunt lines, clew lines, tricing lines, the
lead line, etc.
The line. — At sea the Equator is called the line. In the old days
of sailing ships great festivities took place on crossing the line, and
a sailor was not considered a landsman until he had, so to speak, re-
ceived the freedom of the sea by an initiation, at this time, which,
from all accounts, appears to have been more enjoyable for the
onlooker than for the principal performer. The practice is still
kept up to a minor extent, but is gradually dying out.
A line of ships. — Originally a fleet entered into battle in lines :
there were the front line, the inner line, etc. ; and hence a company
of ships came to be known as a line. Tins then is the origin of
the word as used by a firm which owns a ' ' company " of ships,
and therefore calls itself a line. Hence, also, we have the name
liner, originally a battleship of the line ; to-day one of the ships
belonging to a line.
To line. — To lay one piece of anything over or inside another.
Hence lining in ship-building — the inside planking of a vessel within
her ribs. But in those boats which are built with a double plank-
ing, one immediately over the other, both outside the ribs, the
usual lining is often absent ; and here the inner planking is called
the lining or case','- the outer one being the skin. (Sec diagrams
under FRAME.) In the lining of a vessel the planks usually
have a space between them to allow a free circulation of air :
when, however, they are fitted close up it is called close-lining.
Old yachts, and especially those for sale, may sometimes be. found
" close- lined " : this may very possibly have been done to liide
defective ribs, a fact which should be borne in mind by purchasers.
In sailing boats of the better class, lining is often dispensed with
altogether, as it is in almost every case with row boats.
Lines (in marine architecture). — The drawings of the form or
shape of an intended vessel. These drawings are three in number :
1. The sheer plan ; 2. the half -breadth plan ; 3. the body-plan. The
sheer plan is the side view on which are laid off the length, heights
of all parts from the keel, etc. The half-breadth plan shows the
horizontal or floor plan on any water line. The body plan is the
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
163
SHEER TLAN
The Lines of a Yacht.
end view showing the curves of the sides at any point in her length ;
" and since the two sides are exactly alike, the left half represents
the vertical sections in the after part of the body, and the right
half those in the fore
part," or vice versa.
Thus, lines running
parallel to the surface
of the water (such as
the water bines) appear
as straight bines paral-
lel to the keel in the
sheer plan ; as straight
bines at right angles to
the keel in the body-
plan, and as curved
bines on the half-
breadth plan. The
delineation of vessels
intended for speed,
as racing yachts and
boats, is one of the
most occult branches
of marine architec-
ture ; for it rests neither altogether upon mathematical rules, nor
upon the rule-of-thumb, and is always subservient to the method
of rating which may, at the time, be in vogue.
Lines of flotation. — Water lines ; horizontal in the sheer-plan, etc.
Load water line. — The bine of deepest immersion of a ship. — i.e.,
when she is loaded.
Buttock line. — A vertical section taken longitudinally along the
boat. (See diagrams). It gives the form of the buttock, and of the
run (both of which see).
Concluding line. — A bine hitched to eveiy step down the middle of
a rope ladder.
Deep-sea line. — The sounding bine for use in great depth.
Hand line. — The bine for shallow sounding (see Lead).
Life line. — A rope extended in various positions about a ship for
people to lay hold of. Also a rope thrown to any person who
may fall overboard. (See under Life.)
Lubber's line. — (See under Lubber.)
Mar-line. — Small bine, of two strands, used in marling (ichich
see).
Naval line. — A rope, in square rigged vessels, which assists in
bracing yards up for sailing on a wind. '
Ratlines. — The steps of a rope ladder. (See Ratlinks. )
Spilling line. — In square rig, a rope of occasional use for reefing
or furling sails, " spilling " being to reduce a sail.
Tarred line. — A rope painted with or dipped in tar, in contra-
distinction to a white line — one not tarred.
M 2
164 A DICTION AEY OF SEA TERMS.
Link. — One of the component members of a chain, of which
there are various patterns, as stud link, close-link, open-link, etc.
(-See Chain.)
Link-worming. — In the days of hempen cables, a method of worm-
ing cables with chain so that they should not chafe in the hawse
pipes.
Lipper (leaper?). — A sea which washes over the bows of a vessel.
Also the spray from a small sea.
List (sometimes pronounced by the fishermen "lust"). — An
inclination. Thus a vessel may be said to take "a hist over to
starboard " or to port.
Listing (in shipbuilding and repairing). — The cutting out of the
edge of a plank in a ship's side, so as to expose the timber (rib)
beneath it.
Lizard. — 1. An iron ring spliced into a rope end. It is usually
called a thimble or eye. 2. A parrel is also sometimes called a
lizard, or yard guide.
Lloyd's. — The well-known institution called Lloyd's has been in
existence since the year 1716. Its name is derived from a coffee
house kept by one Lloyd, to which all interested in shipping matters
resorted. From thence it was removed, and eventually located in
the new Royal Exchange. Besides undertaking all matters of
insurance through its members, it publishes, periodically, a volu-
minous inventory of shipping intelligence, known as Lloyd's List,
the importance of which, in the mercantile world, cannot be over-
rated. For a short history of Lloyd's, see Lloyd's " Seamen's
Almanac, 1897."
Load line, or load water line. — In the lines of a ship, the
supposed line of deepest immersion — i.e., when loaded. (See Lines.)
It is, in fact, the ship's proper displacement.
Loadstone. — {See Lodestone.)
Loafer. — A name given to a man who hangs about by the water-
side, either to pick up a job, or, if occasion prompt, to pick up
anything else. They are sometimes called "shore rakers" ; possibly
from "raking the shore." It is not advisable to employ such men
where watermen or fishermen can possibly be obtained.
A 'long-shwe loafer is one who loafs along the shore, though the
name is sometimes given to those who fish or find other honest
employment along shore ; these are not to be included in the same
category as the loafers above mentioned.
Loch. — A word of Gaelic origin. A lake or an arm of the sea in
North Britain or Ireland.
Lock. — " In internal navigation, the part of a canal included
between two floodgates, by means of which a vessel is transferred
from a higher to a lower level, or from a lower to a higher. It is also
applied to the contrivance by which vessels are maintained at the
level of high tides in harbours exposed to variations of level."
(Brande and Cox.)
A DICTIONAF.Y OF SEA TEF.MS.
165
Locker. — A compartment on board a boat, for the stowage of
anything. Small cupboards are called lockers, as well as the com-
partments iuto which the chain drops, and that in which ropes,
small sails, and such like necessities are stored.
Davy Jones' locker. — The bottom of the sea.
Lodestone. — " The name given to magnetic iron ore when
endowed with magnetic polarity ; in which case it constitutes the
native magnet or lodestone." It is this with which the needle of
the mariners' compass is rubbed to enable it always to point
towards the north.
Lodging knees. — In ship-building, deck-beam knees. (See
Knee.)
Log. — The instrument used to measure the rate of a vessel's
velocity through the water. The most primitive manner of calcu-
lating this velocity appears to have been for a person
to heave the log over the bow of the vessel, and to "~ ,u i,o4 n
run with it until he reached the poop, the speed at
which he ran forming the basis upon which the ship's
speed was reckoned ; and it is said that Avonderfully
accurate results were obtained by this rough method.
Until recent years, the log consisted of a piece of
wood in the form usually of the quadrant of a circle
about oin. or6in. in radius, and a quarter of an inch
thick, and so balanced, by a leaden weight, as to
float perpendicularly almost immersed in the water.
This was called the " ship," and was fastened to one
end of a long line called the log line, the other end
being wound on a reel, placed in the stern part of
the vessel. The " ship " being heaved, or thrown
into the water, theoretically kept its place while the
line ran off the reel as the ship moved, the length
unwinding in a given time giving the rate of sailing.
This was calculated by knots made on the line at
regular intervals and a sand glass which ran a certain
number of seconds. " In order to avoid calculation,
the length l)etween these knots was so proportioned
to the time of the glass that the number of knots
unwound wlule the glass ran down should be the
number of miles the vessel was sailing per hour. "
This, then, is the origin of the knot — the nautical
mile. The log being heaved at certain times in each
watch, the particulars were entered in the vessel's
book, which was therefore called the log book or log,
and which contained, besides, all details relating to
whatever transpired during a voyage. The log-book
still exists. But the system just noticed being sub-
ject to considerable contingencies, such as currents, etc., is now
being superseded by various forms of self-registering rotators, which
Logs.
166 A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TERMS.
give the actual speed of the vessel much more accurately. Such
are Bliss's Patent American Taffrail Log and many others which,
being dropped over the ship's stem, are left there permanently, and,
while continuing to revolve with a speed proportionate to that of
the ship, may be read at any time.
Log boards. — Boards placed together, and opening like the leaves
of a book, \ised in old ships upon which to enter the records of the
ship each day ; from whence it was copied into the log book.
Log b)ok. — The ship's journal. Everything, including the dis-
tance the ship has made, her position, and anything winch may
have happened on board, is entered therein. For a person to be
entered in the log book is called being logged, and, if for offence,
is a serious matter.
Log wood. — A dye-wood from America.
Long. — Long
bxit. — A strong
row - boat pro- ,
pelled by eight
or ten oars, some- . „.
times double Longboat.
binked. The largest row-boat carried by a ship.
Long gaskets. — Gaskets used at sea, in contradistinction to those
used in harbour. {See Gaskets and Harbour Gaskets.)
Long-jawed. — Rope which has, by much wear and strain, become
such that the strands are straightened out, enabling it to coil both
ways.
Long timbers. — In ship- building, timbers rising from the dead
woods and running upwards in one piece, instead of being made up
of several futtocks. (See Frame.)
Long-legged. — Said of a vessel when she draws a great depth of
water.
Long-shore (along shore). — A 'long-shore man is one who pursues
his vocation along the shore, in contradistinction to those whose
business takes them some distance from the shore ; such are water-
men or boatmen and the like, as opposed to seamen or fishermen.
'Long-shore men are, however, often very good sailors.
Longitude. — Distance east or west of a first meridian, ex-
pressed in degrees. Our first meridian is that which passes through
Greenwich.
Loo. — A pronunciation of the word lee (which see), as in
" loo-ard " for "leeward."
Loof. — 1. The old name for luff (which see).
2. (Of a ship. ) That portion under the bows of a vessel which
curves inwards towards the stem.
3.. To loof. — To be in a certain direction, as a plank " loofs fore-
and-aft," etc.
Look-out. — The attention of a steersman, in whatsoever craft,
should never, under any circumstances, be taken off his work ; and
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS. 167
at the same time it is always well for all on board to keep a good
look out.
Loom. — 1. (Of an oar.) That part from the leather, or fulcrum,
to the grip, or handle. (See Oak. )
2. An object is said to loom or loom up, when, under certain
states of the atmosphere, as in fogs and occasionally towards evening,
it appears larger than we suppose it to be. Probably the absence
of the detail with which we are familiar gives a breadth to the
object to whicli we are not accustomed ; it must be remembered, too,
that we see objects under such circumstances from a much shorter
distance than usual.
3. Loom gale. — An easy gale, in whicli topsails may be carried.
Loose. — To loose a rope. — To let it go.
To loose a sail. — To unfurl or set it.
To loose for sea. — To unfurl and make sail for going out.
Lop. — To lop over is to lay over suddenly.
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.— The chief magistrate
or lord of the Cinque Ports. The position is usually held by some
person of distinction, and often by a minister, or an ex-minister.
Lose way, or lose ground. — To make lee way ; to drift, etc.
Loss. — In insurance " total loss is the insurance recovered
under peril, according to the invoice price of the goods when em-
barked, together with the premium of insurance. Partial loss upon
either ship or goods, is that proportion of the prime cost whicli is
equal to the diminution in value occasioned by the damage."
(Smyth.)
Lost (of a ship). — "Wrecked, foundered or cast away.
Lost day. — The day which is lost in circumnavigating the globe
to westward.
Lon. — A Little bill or mound. Also a pronunciation of the word
lee (which see), as in " lou-ard " for " leeward. "
Low. — " Under low sails." — A ship is sometimes spoken of as
such when sailing under her courses and close-reefed topsails only.
Lower. — To let down.
Lower cheerily. — To lower expeditiously.
Loiver handsomely. — To lower gradually.
Lotoer topsail, sometimes called the middle topsail. — In square
rigged ships, a topsail which is the result of cutting a heavy square
topsail in half, thus making two (an upper and a lower) where only
one used to be. As these two halves are more readily worked than
the original whole, the system is now commonly followed on all
modern ships. It is more fully described under the heading double
topsails.
Lubber. — A term, not altogether of endearment, used among
sailors. It means "a person " — usually a "foolish person." It is,
in fact, a contemptuous name given by seamen to those who are not
versed in their own art.
168
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Land-lubber is the title appropriated to a landsman.
Lubber's hole is a name given to an aperture in the gear of a
topmast through which access may be obtained to the masthead
by a slower but less dangerous means than that ordinarily taken
by active seamen ; for which reason it is considered only worthy
of a lubber, or land-lubber. (See diagram to FuTTOCK PLATE.)
Lubber's line. — The mark in the mariner's
compass case which shows the exact fore-and-
aft direction of the ship. Thus, whatever
point conies under the lubber's line tells the
direction in which the ship's head lies. The
origin of the name is not altogether plain,
unless we suppose that seamen have the
faculty of calculating the exact position of
such a Line without its presence.
Lubberland. — "A kind of El Dorado in
sea story. " Lubber's Line.
Luff. — The luff of a sail is its weather edge. (See Sail.)
To luff in sailing, is to bring a vessel's head closer to the wind.
To luff up or luff round is to throw her head right up to the wind.
To luff into a harbour or bay, is to sail into it close-hauled to
the wind.
To spring a luff. — To yield to the helm and allow the vessel to go
nearer the wind.
Luff hooks. — "Tackle with two hooks, one of which is to hitch
into the cringles of the main and fore-sail, and the other into a
strap or pulley rope let into the chess-tree, etc., its use being to
succour the tackles in a large sail. " (Bailey's Dictionary.)
Luff tackle. — " Any tackle that is not designed for any particular
place. "
The word " luff " was anciently expressed " loof, " in explanation of
which we have the following : " The loof is that part of a ship
aloft which lies just before the timbers called chess-trees, as far
as the bulk-head of the forecastle.
1 'Loof pieces are those guns that lie in the loof of a ship. " (Bailey. )
Lug. — Lug sail. — A four-sided sail, bent to a yard, and slung to
the mast in a fore-and-aft position ; it is a sail
exceedingly common in boats, and by far the
best with which to provide a beginner. There
are three kinds of lug sails in general use, the
standing or working, the dipping, and the bal-
ance; to these may be added the Clyde lug,
whicli is less common, though still often seen,
and is, in fact, only an enlarged standing lug.
1. Standing or working lug. — This sail is bent
to a yard, and may be with or without a boom :
if without, it has one particular advantage to Ipiea
beginners; for when the sheet is let go the^^.
sail holds no wind, or, in popular language, Working Lug.
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS.
169
becomes little more than a flag. Yet the use of it will not teach the
art of sailing, because there is danger that the tyro, getting accus-
tomed to letting go his sheet in heavy puffs of wind, will do likewise
when he comes to handle a boat rigged with a boom sail ; the conse-
quences of which may often be serious, for a boom sail holds the wind,
and by letting it go the boat may be capsized.
2. Dipping lug. — Much used at sea, but
inconvenient except in making long reaches,
for the tack being carried to the stem post
of the boat, it is necessaiy to drop, or "dip"
the sail (hence the name) each time the boat
goes about, and reset it on the other side of
the mast. It is nevertheless a veiy powerful
sail, and in skilful hands the dipping is
quickly accomplished ; and by the tack being
carried forward it becomes both lug and
foresail in one.
3. Balance lug. — The favourite sail for
pleasure boats and small yachts rigged with
lug sails. It has a lower spar, called the
boom, which may be extended beyond the
stem, and sometimes even beyond the stem
of the boat ; and which allows, therefore, of
a very large sail, well suited to quiet waters,
though somewhat dangerous at sea, espe-
cially when running, for the boom, if very
long, is liable to catch the waves.
4. Clyde lug. — This is a standing lug
carried to a great height on a mast stepped
well in the bows ; the yard is long and
heavy ; and the sheet of the sail travels
on a horse on the transom of the boat.
It need hardly be said that all sails must
be kept close in to their masts, for otherwise
great loss of power will result. This has
always presented more or less difficulty
with lug sails. The simplest and com-
monest method of overcoming it is by
an iron ring travelling on the mast and
also hooked to the yard. All those, how-
ever, who have had experience of this
method, agree that it is imperfect ; the
ring being liable to jam. A number of
schemes have been recommended in its
place ; each person is inclined to regard
his own invention as the best, and some
us so. It is found, however, that a system invented by and
working admirably with one person, often fails altogether to
satisfy another. The diagram illustrates one or two of the
Clyde Lug.
so as far as to tell
170
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TERMS.
schemes generally found useful. A shows
a device recommended by Mr. Davies
("Boat Sailing for Amateurs"), B is
the plain ring, and C a plan often em-
ployed with success. In the last the line
D, after passing round the mast, hangs
loosely until the sail is set up, when it is
tightened, thus bringing the yard close
to the mast, and in lowering there is
little fear of jamming. But the beginner
with lug-sails will do well to obtain from
some fisherman or waterman information
as to the various methods of forming
& parrel, and having done so, he is at
liberty to make use of the one he finds
most convenient.
Lugger. — A boat rigged with lug sails. They are of various
types and common to most of the northern countries, being mostly
employed by fishermen
on account of their
extreme handiness.
They may be single-
masted, two-masted or
three-masted, and often
set top-sails. The sails
employed in these ves-
sels, which often reach
a considerable size, are
either standing or dip-
ping lugs. Of all lug-
gers in the world, those
of the town of Deal are
thought to hold the highest reputation; but all along the coasts they
are worked in a manner often wonderful to see, and go out to sea
when no other boat could live.
Lumper. — One employed in the loading or unloading of a
vessel.
Lurch. — A heavy roll or jerk to one side.
Luggers.
M.
Mad. — The term applied to the state of the compass needle
when its polarity has been injured.
Made. — Made block. — A block the shell of which is composed of
several parts, (See BLOCK.)
Made eye. — A Flemish eye (which see, under Eye).
Made mast. — A mast made of several parts, as the lower mast of
a large vessel. {See Mast.)
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
171
Mail. — Mail boat. — A boat carrying letters, etc. From the
following it will be seen how the term came into use : " Mail
(French, malle). — A word which signified originally the bag
containing letters forwarded by Government for the public con-
venience, but it was soon afterwards extended to the letters
themselves, and it is now used also for the conveyance in which
ttiey are forwarded."
Main.— In all rigs of vessels the word main applies alike to the
principal mast and the principal sail it carries. In a ship we find
the main mast rigged with the main shrouds, main stays, main
halyards, etc. , and carrying the main sail (called the main course),
which is bent to the main yard. Above tliis rises the main -top-
mast with the main-top-sail, the main-top-gallant mast with the
main-top-gallant sail, and the main-royal mast with the main-
royal and sky sails. The position of the main-mast varies in
different rigs, as given under the heading Mast.
Main halyards. — The halyards (ropes) which elevate the main
sail. In fore-and-aft or gaff main sails (those stretched on a gaff)
the throat halyards — those
attached to the throat of the
gaff — are usually called the
main halyards, to distinguish
them from the peak halyards,
which elevate the peak of the
gaff. But both these may
be included under the one
term " main halyards." (See
diagram. )
Main sheet. — The rope
working the main sail. In
square-rigged ships it is the
aftermost (for the time being)
of the ropes attached to the
clews of the main course, the weathermost being the tack. And
when the ship goes al>out these two change their names. The main
sheet of a fore-and-aft rigged vessel runs through a block attached
to the after end of the boom, if there be one, or otherwise to the
clew of the main sail, and through another block on deck, which
may be fixed or travel on a horse, the number of times it parses
through these blocks depending upon the power required to work
the sail. In large racing yachts the purchase is enormous ; and
a system of tackle upon tackle being employed, the main sheet
assumes the form of almost a network of rcpes.
Main stays. — The stays which support the main mast. Thus
we find in a ship the main stay, running from the main-
mast head forward to the base of the fore-mast ; the main
shrouds, and the main backstays. Upon the mainstay is set
the main -staysail. There are also the main-tqp-mast stay and
stay-sail, etc.
&SE&.,
172
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Main and foresail rig. — This term
is employed for want of a better.
Its meaning will be obvious ; a boat
is rigged with a large main sail and
foresail, or possibly with a jib. The
rig is frequently applied to the racing
boats known as half-raters.
Main and mizzen rig. — This is a
rig frequently seen in small boats,
on account of its general handiness
for all seasons, and it is peculiarly
adapted to very long boats. The
rig consists of a mainsail, which may
be a balance lug and a mizzen, with
or without the addition of a foresail.
Mr. Christopher Davies in his "Boat
Sailing for Amateurs " makes various
remarks upon the utility of this rig
and of a variety of it in which the
mizzen works with the tiller, much
bar^ ***** ™ Y " ** ^^ ° f & MAIN AND MIZZEN '
Main deck. — The principal deck on a vessel having several decks.
(See Deck.)
Main yard men (old term). — Men on the sick list.
Slake. — An expression signifying " to reach " or " attain to."
Thus, to make a harbour is to reach it ; to try and make any object,
to try and reach it.
Make headway. — To move forward, generally expressed as against
some difficulty, as against a head-wind or tide.
Make water. — To leak.
Making of the tides. — The tides are highest and lowest about new
and full moon, when they are called spring tides, and smallest at the
intermediate times (first and last quarters of the moon), when they
are known as neap tides. From the period of neap to that of spring
tide, therefore, the tides must be increasing in strength and volume,
and are then said to be making. (See Lagging of the Tides.)
Mal-de-mer. — A malady which often overtakes those unused to
the motion of the sea.
Man. — To place the right complement of hands upon a ship or
any part of it.
To man a boat. — To place in her her full number of rowers.
To man the yards. — To range the people on the yards, rigging,
etc., of a vessel, either in honour of some person or in commemora-
tion of some event, as a salute.
Man-hole. — A hole in an engine's boiler, or elsewhere, through
which a man can crawl when necessaiy to examine the inside.
Man-ropes. — A general name for ropes used in ascending a ship's
sides, hatchways, etc.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 173
Manly. — A terra sometimes used by the fishermen to describe the
seaworthiness of a vessel. If she is handy and a good weather boat
she is said to behave herself " like a man," or in "manly " fashion.
Manilla. — " A valuable cordage made in the Philippines, which
not being subject to rot does not require to be tarred." (Smyth.)
Mariner. — Anciently, a first-class, or able-bodied seaman.
Mariner's compass. (See COMPASS.)
Marines. — A corps of men serving something like soldiers on
board a vessel of war. They are sometimes called the " jollies," in
contradistinction to the name " johnnies, " given to the bluejackets.
Marks — Marks and dips, or deeps. — Certain divisions on the hand
lead-bine to show depth at a glance or by feeling. (See Lead.)
Mar-line. — Small bine, composed of two strands very little
twisted. It may be either white or tarred. Mar-bine is commonly
used in parcelling a rope — that is binding canvas round it, to
prevent its galling. It is also the material employed in securing
the bolt ropes to large sails by a peculiar system of knots called
marling hitches, instead of sewing.
Marling. — To marl. — To wind any small line, as mar-line,
spun line, etc., round a rope in such a manner that every turn it
takes is secured by a sort of knot. It is thus much safer than mere
whipping, for if one lap wears through the others still hold. The
art of marling must be learned from some fisherman or waterman.
Marling spike. — A pointed instrument of iron used to open the
strands of rope when splicing, marling, etc.
Maroon. — " To put one or more sailors on shore upon a desolate
island, under pretence of their having committed some great crime.
This detestable expedient has been too often practised by some
inhuman commanders of merchant ships, particularly in the West
Indies." (Falconer.)
Marry. — To join ropes together, as it were in the bond of
matrimony. Thus :— 1. (In splicing rope.) To join one rope to
another in such a manner that the join may be reeved through a
block. 2. (In working ships.) To marry ropes, braces, or falls.
— To hold two such ropes together, and, by pressure, to haul in on
both equally.
Marry at' s code. — The code of signalling for many years used
at sea, but now superseded by the International Code. (Sec SIGNALS.)
Martello towers. — The name given to the small circular forts,
or towers, met with along the East and South-East coasts, and placed
there in view of the meditated and
boasted invasion of England by
Bonaparte. " The name is usually
supposed to be derived from a fort
in Mortella (Myrtle) Bay, Corsica,
which, after a determined resistance, '"".:
was at last captured by the British ~~
in 1794." Martello Tower.
174 A DICTION ABY OF SEA TEBMS.
Martingale— The rope extending from a jib boom end down-
wards to a dolphin striker ; its office being to stay the jib boom in
the same manner as the bobstays stay the bowsprit. (See diagram
nnder DOLPHIN STRIKER.)
Martnets. — In square rig, small lines fasten ed to the leech of
a sail reeved through a block on the mast head and brought down
on deck, their use being to bring the leech of a sail to its yard to be
furled. This is called topping up on the martnets.
Mast. — "A long piece, or system of pieces, of timber, placed
nearly perpendicularly to the keelson of a vessel to support the
yards, or gaffs, on which the sails are extended. When a mast is one
entire piece, it is called a pole-mast ; but in all large vessels it is com-
posed of several lengths, called lower, top, and top-gallant masts —
sometimes a fourth, called a royal mast, which, however, is usually
in one piece with the top-gallant mast." (Brande and Cox.) Under
this heading it may be most generally useful to describe the gear em-
ployed to support the mast and top-mast of a cutter or yawl yacht,
referring the reader to the figures (opposite), and where technical
terms are made use of, to the definitions under their respective head-
ings. A mast is said, when set up, to be stepped, because its foot is
fitted into a step, or chock, the office of which is to distribute the weight
of the mast over as great a part of the keelson as may be possible.
It is held upright to the level of the deck by a framework called
the mast-case ; and is further strengthened, on the deck itself, by a
frame called thepartners. The lower portion of the mast is usually
square, this part being called the housing, because it is housed, or
enclosed in the mast case. The mast is not, however, fitted very
closely in its framing, but, on the contrary, is allowed a little play
in these parts, in case they, or the deck, should swell or become
strained, and press upon it, a possibility which might be attended
by serious consequences ; it depends, in fact, for its support upon
its shrouds and stays. In sucli craft as certain barges, or the
Norfolk wherries, not only is the stowage room usually occupied
by the mast housing required for cargo, but beyond this there is the
constant necessity to lower the mast in passing under bridges. The
mast is, therefore, set up on deck, its housing working in a casing
called the tabernacle. The mast being stepped, is now to be rigged.
At a short distance from the mast head are the hounds, otherwise
called the cheeks, on Avhich the shrouds rest (supporting the mast
laterally), together with the back-stays,y\\\ich prevent it from falling
forward, and the fore-stay, which keeps it from falling backward ;
all of these serving to hold it securely up. That part of the mast
from the deck upwards to the hounds is called the hounding : the
part above this is the head. The shrouds communicate with the
shroud plates, often called the channels, on the vessel's sides, by
means of lanyards, rove through the dead eyes, which enable them
to be made taut. The back stays with their tackles run further
aft ; while the fore-stay runs down to the stem-head. Just above
the hounds, and supported by them, are the trestle-trees, which, in
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
175
their turn, are short pieces of wood running fore and aft and bearing
the cross trees. The cross trees give lateral support to the topmast.
At the mast head projects an iron ring, called the cap: through it
the topmast runs ; and between the trestle trees is usually another
► Trwe*.
The Parts of a Mast.
Various Masts.
ring, called the lower cap, or yoke, answering a like purpose. The
topmast is placed forward of the lower mast, and thus runs up
between the trestle trees and in the caps. When raised so that its
heel is just above the level of the cross tree, a bolt of iron, the fid,
176 A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
is passed through a hole at its heel called the fid-hole : the fid rests
upon the trestle-trees, and on it the whole weight of the topmast is
carried. The topmast is then said to be fidded. The topmast
fidded, requires staying. A short distance below the truck are
small cheeks, placed there, as on the lower mast, for the reception
of the topmast shrouds and stays. The shrouds are stretched over
the extremities of the cross-trees and brought down only a little
below them, their ends being usually attached to ropes, called legs,
which, by means of a purchase, serve to haul them taut. The reason
why these shrouds are not brought down to the deck when the topmast
is set (as are the main shrouds) is this : — if they came down to the
deck when the topmast was up, they would be so long when it came
down that it woxild be difficult to coil them out of the way ; whereas,
by keeping them short they only just reach the deck when the top-
mast is struck, and (the legs being detached) they can be comfortably
stowed away. The topmast forestay prevents the topmast from falling
backward ; it runs down from the mast head to the bowsprit head.
The topmast backstays keep it back and belay, therefore, some dis-
tance aft of the mast ; they can be slackened out as the sail swings
over. Upon the lower mast, between the trestle-trees and the cap, are
hung the various blocks through wdiich pass the halyards ; and, on
the topmast, those for the topsail and jib topsail halyards. Such is
the mast of a large yacht ; but many boats are without a topmast,
as are the mizzen masts of yawls, and generally of ketches, these
being, in fact, nothing more than poles ; and hence they are called,
as above mentioned, pole-masts.
Masts are variously named, according to the rig of the vessel : — In
a full-rigged ship the masts are three in number, viz., the main, the
fore, and the mizzen, the main being in the centre and the mizzen aft ;
and as the ship appears to be the standard by which other vessels are
compared, it would seem to follow that all vessels are, more or less,
but modifications of it. Thus in four-masted ships there is one mast
added, viz., the jigger (see below), and they carry, therefore, fore,
main, mizzen, and jigger masts ; while one large German sailing
vessel has five. The bark and the barkentine, like the ship, carry
the three masts, the difference between these and the ship being in
the modification of the rigs. In schooners, brigs, and brigantines, the
mizzen has been cut off, leaving the two masts fore and main. The
main is, in these, therefore, the after one. In ketches, yawls, and
some barges, there are also two masts, but the fore has been cut off,
leaving the main and mizzen, and here, therefore, the main becomes
the forward mast. In cutters, sloops, and in many fishing craft,
both fore and mizzen have been cut off, leaving only one mast, the
main. Luggers have sometimes three masts and sometimes two, in
the latter case, generally, the main and mizzen.
There are also masts which constitute no general part of a vessel's
rig; as jury masts, which are temporary masts, set up before the
permanent masts are stepped, to take the vessel only a short dis-
tance, or in place of one accidentally carried away. Barges are
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
177
usually fitted with "juries" for getting up and down rivers when
the bridges are so numerous that the main mast cannot be elevated
between them : they are veiy often to be seen on the London river,
between bridges. (See fig. under Jury.) A tow mast is one used
in river and canal towing. (See under Tow. ) A jigger is a small
mast or an extra mast. The small mast fitted to, and working
with, the rudder of a barge, is sometimes called the jigger. In
four-masted ships the fourth mast is the jigger-mast. (See above.)
The following terms are used with reference to masts : —
Spent mast. — A mast is said to be spent when it is broken in
rough weather and rendered useless.
Spring the mast. — A mast is sprung when it is broken or badly
strained, though it need not necessarily be spent.
Raking masts. — A mast set out of the upright is said to rake.
Schooners, yachts, and steamboats have often raking masts ; with
other vessels it is not so usual. The rake is generally understood
to mean an inclination backward ; but on some occasions the inclina-
tion is forward, when it is described as raking forward, or stayed
forward. (See fig. under liAKE.)
In the manufacture of masts the following terms are often
employed : —
Armed mast. — A mast made of more than one tree.
Made mast. — A mast made up of several united pieces, in con-
tradistinction to one consisting of a single piece or tree. Large
masts are stronger made than of one pole, and less liable to spring,
but for small vessels the pole is -the more elastic.
Rough mast. — A spar fit to make a mast out of, or before the
mast is made of it.
Masts and other spars are sometimes seen to be apparently cracked
along (or between) the fibres ; but this, though defective, does not
materially affect their elasticity. Large knots,
on the other hand, are sometimes dangerous ;
and all holes, bolts, or screws, piercing the
fibre, tend to weaken the spar. There is an
old saying having reference to the masts of fore-
and-aft rigged boats, viz., "Mainmast strong
and topmast long." Old sayings are often true
sayings.
Mast hoops, or rings, sometimes called hanks.
The rings, either of ash, cane, or metal,
encircling a mast, and to which a lower fore-
and-aft sail (such as the mainsail) is fastened.
To these rings the sail is said to be bent on,
down that portion of it called the luff, or weather
leech.
Mast-rope. — Another name for the heel-rope
(which see).
Master. — The captain of a merchant vessel,
who holds a master's or extra- master's certificate.
N
M*ST
178
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Mate (in a ship). — Literally, the master's assistant. There
may be in a merchant vessel as many as four or five mates ; they
are officers under the captain. In the Royal Navy there are various
mates, who are petty officers.
Matthew Walker. — A stopper knot which takes its name from
the originator. (See KNOTS. )
Maul. — A large iron hammer.
Top maul. — A hammer with an iron handle used in large vessels to
drive the fid in or out of a top mast, and for this purpose it is often
attached to the mast head.
Measurement of vessels. — The calculation of their capacities
upon certain data. (See Tonnage, Displacement, Rating.)
Member's flag.— A small flag displayed by a yacht belonging to
any particular club, and the device on which is registered and
numbered in the yacht club's books. Each member may have his
own flag. (For its use see under BURGEE.)
Mend. — To mend sails. — To loose and bend them afresh on their
spars.
Meridian. — To put it into the roughest and simplest words, a
meridian is a line round the earth at right angles to the Equator and
passing through the spectator (who may be at any spot on the earth's
surface) or any other point (as through Greenwich, which constitutes
the Englishman's first meridian.) It is the circle upon which
every navigator must reckon his latitude (distance from the Equator).
Mesh.— The space between
the lines of a netting.
Mess (at sea). — A company
of officers or men who eat or
live together.
Mess kid. — A wooden vessel
for holding food. (See KlD and
Kit.)
Messenger. — A rope which,
being attached to a heavy cable,
is hauled in by a capstan, the
cable itself being too large to
grip the barrel. The messenger
is often attached to the cable
by smaller ropes called nippers,
and is then said to be nipped on.
Metacentre (in hydro-
statics and naval architecture).
— That point in a floating body upon the position of which the
stability of the body depends.
Mete stick (on ship board). — A measure used in stowing the
cargo in order to preserve proper levels.
Metropolitan police. — The river police have jurisdiction over
the Thames from Staines to the Nore. The offices of the company
are at St. Mary's-at-Hill, London.
> =£ --TSfftW^
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TEEMS. 179
Middle topsail, or lower topsail. — In square-rigged ships, one
of the divisions resulting from the method adopted by C unningham,
and others, of cutting the old style of topsail in half. It is the lower
division, and therefore hangs between the topsail (the upper division)
and the course below, from which circumstance it may with equal
propriety be called either the middle or the lower topsail, while the
two together are known as double, or Cunningham's topsails. (See
also under Double Topsails. ) Smyth gives the following definition
of another square sail which he calls a middle topsail : — " A deep
roached sail set in some schooners and sloops on the heel of their
topmasts, between the top and the cap." This is a remnant of the
old rig of cutters, sloops, etc., which once carried square sails, and
may still occasionally be seen in some of the Yorkshire billyboys and
ketches. It is more fully described under the heading Ketch and
in the note under SQUARE Rig.
Midships. — The same as a'midships — i.e., in the middle portion
of a vessel.
Midship beam. — The beam upon which the extreme breadth of the
ship is formed.
Midship bend. — The broadest frame in a ship, called the dead flat.
Midshipman. — The rank in the Royal Navy above the cadet. The
lowest commissioned officer. Gentlemen's sons apprenticed to the
sea in the merchant navy are also called, by courtesy, midshipmen.
" Middy " is the popular abbreviation of this word.
Midshipmen's nuts. — Biscuits all broken into pieces.
Mile. — The sea or Nautical Mile = one sixtieth of a degree of
latitude, and varies from 6,046ft. on the Equator to 6,092ft.
in lat. 60°.
Nautical Mile for speed trials, generally (?'?5? f ® e * , .,
-called the Admiralty Measured Mile ... ... |£Jg **££ mlles
Miller. — To drown the miller. — To put too much water into grog.
Miss stays. — A vessel is said to miss stays when, in tacking, she
fails to come about, and gets hung up in the wind. (For a fuller
meaning of the term see under Tack.)
Mitchboard. — A prop or stanchion with a semicircular groove
cut into its upper end for the support of a boom when at rest. It
is sometimes employed instead of a crutch to take the weight of the
boom off the halyards. {See CRUTCH.)
Mizzen. — (Fr., artimeno; Ital., mezzana). — The word applies to
both mast and sails.
Mizzen mast. — The aftermost mast in vessels of many descriptions,
as described under the heading Mast.
Mizzen sails. — Those bent to a mizzen mast. The following may
be interesting as relating to the origin of the name " mizzen. "
" The word occurs in Italian as mezzana, a lateen sail, and in
French as mizaine, a foresail, and must be traced to the Latin
medium, and the Greek mesos, its application arising from the mizzen
sail in a galley being in the middle line of the ship, while the other
N 2
180
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
sails were carried across the deck." (Brande and Cox.) Our busi-
ness here is with the mizzen as applied to yachts and sailing boats.
In yachts its presence constitutes a yawl, and though apparently
one of the most insignificant of the sails, it is yet one of the most
useful ; for by its aid a vessel will stand up to the wind in a gale,
though the mainsail be altogether lowered ; she can also get under
weigh with it and a foresail ; and in large boats it saves the neces-
sity of taking several hands. At the same time, however, the
space occupied by the mizzen, where, in a cutter, the boom would
extend some distance over the taffrail, precludes the possibility of
the yawl rig being so fast as that of the cutter. In sailing boats of
any great length the mizzen is found to be of the utmost value,,
though not suited to those
which are short. It also
forms part of the main and
mizzen and of the canoe rig.
In barges and ketches it is
always found ; the barge
carrying one so small in
comparison to the mainsail
that one might well wonder
that it can be of any service.
Here, however, it is often
set up on and works with
the rudder, giving that
member a double power over
the long and often deeply
laden hull. In the ketch
it is a larger sail, some-
times without a boom, and
frequently surmounted by
a topsail ; and in many
fishing boats it is also
found. The mizzen is, in a word, a useful sail, depriving the-
vessel of some speed, but rendering her infinitely more handier
than those in which it is dispensed with ; and one of its great
advantages is that, to a great extent, it does its own work.
Moderate- — Moderate breeze. — A breeze in which all sail can be
comfortably set.
Moderate gale. — A wind necessitating that all reefs be taken in to
make all snug.
Mole. — -A huge stone breakwater or sea wall.
Monk's seam. — In sails, a seam sewn down the centre of the
two seams by which the cloths of large sails are united.
Monkey. — A weight, as that of a pile-driver.
Monkey block. — A small single block having a swivel strop. "Also
those nailed to the topsail yards in some ships, to lead the bunt
lines. "
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 181
Monkey forecastle. — A small elevated forecastle or anchor deck.
(See diagram under Deck. )
Monkey spars. — Reduced spars.
Monsoon. — The periodical trade winds of certain latitudes in the
Indian Ocean.
Moon-rakers, or moon sails. — In ships, square sails set above
the sky sails. They are very rarely seen, and then only in the
lightest winds. They come under the head of light sails {which
see).
Moor, mooring. — To moor is to take up a mooring, but some-
times the same term is used to signify bringing a vessel to an anchor :
and a vessel with an anchor out both ahead and astern is said to be
moored ; as she may also be when both anchors are brought to one
cable (as described under Swivel). A permanent mooring is an
arrangement of weights or cross pieces of timber sunk below the
ground under water. To these a chain is made fast and attached
at the other end to a rope, and that rope to a buoy. Boats
lying habitually in one harbour have moorings in it.
When a sailing boat desires to take up her mooring, she comes up to
it, if possible, head to wind and tide ; but as neither winds nor tides
accommodate themselves to the convenience of individuals there are
various methods of doing this which only experience can teach.
This is, indeed, one of the nicest and most difficult feats presented
to the amateur in everyday work. Presuming, however, that the
bow of the boat has been brought to a standstill just over the
mooring (which, after all, is the whole end of the matter), the buoy
is picked up and taken aboard, and the chain also brought aboard
and shackled, or belayed, round the bowsprit bitts, when the boat is
.secure. It is important to remember, in taking in the buoy-rope, to
bring as much in as possible before belaying, as if there be any way
on the boat and not sufficient rope inboard, that already secured
may be torn out of the hands.
To slip the mooring is merely to let it go, the buoy always show-
ing where it may be found again.
To moor by the head. — To ride with two or more anchors down
by the head.
Mooring for a fair berth. — Mooring in a place of safety ; spoken of
ships coming to an anchorage.
Mooring for east and west. — Anchoring according to the run of. a
tide or high wind, so as to keep out of danger.
Mooring block. — An object to take the place of an anchor. The
sunken stone or wooden baulks which form a permanent mooring
are sometimes thus called.
Mop. — A broom with a cloth head, always useful on board.
To mop along is a slang term often used of a sailing boat, to
express the fact that she moves quickly.
Mortar vessel. — Under the old system of naval warfare,
a vessel carrying a heavy mortar.
182
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Moused,
Mother Cary's chickens. — A name given by seamen to the
birds known as stormy petrels, or storm birds (Procellaria pclagica).
These are able by the help of their wings to walk, as it were, upon
the water.
Mother Cary's goose. — Another of the same family, only consider-
ably larger (P. gigantea).
Mould. — In shipbuilding this term has a meaning peculiar to
itself.
To mould is to draw out in their proper dimensions the several
parts of a ship, for the guidance of the builder.
Moulding dimensions, as applied to any piece of timber, are its
depth or thickness.
Moulded breadth is the measurement across the skeleton of a vessel
outside her timbers (ribs); not across her planking, for that is not
supposed to exist when the moulded breadth is spoken of.
Mount. — Expressed of a battleship — as " she mounts twenty
guns."
Mouse. — A mouse. — A thickening made in part
of a rope. " A knot or knob wrought on the outside
of a rope by means of spun-yarn, parcelling, etc.,
as the knot wrought on the stay of a ship which
prevents the collar from closing round the mast
head." (Falconer.)
To mouse a hook. — To pass a yarn or fox round a
hook to prevent it from clearing itself of whatever it
may be fastened to.
The Mouse. — An important bank of sand in the
estuary of the Thames, on the margin of which is
placed the Mouse lightship,
which has a green light re-
volving every twenty seconds,
and gong.
Mud pattens.— Boards to
be fastened to the feet, for
walking on very soft mud. They
are difficult for beginners to
manage ; and it is best, there-
fore, for anyone to take an oar
or pole with him when necessity
obliges him to put on mud
pattens.
Mudian, mugian, or
Bermuda rigf. — A mudian is
one of a class of boats origin-
ating from the Bermudian
Islands, and far more important
in the history of yacht-build-
ing than is often allowed. The Mudian Rig.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
183
Mudian Rig Modified.
following were the main features of the true mudian : It was short,
of considerable beam, and of great draught aft ; the stem post and
keel combining together to form a deep curve. It had one mast,
of extraordinary length, usually unsupported except for a jib-stay.
The length of this mast is said to have sometimes reached two,
or even three, times that of the keel. It set two sails, a main and
a jib, the latter running out on a short jib-boom or bumpkin. The
main- sail was triangular in shape, its head being taken up to the
head of the mast, and its foot stretched on a boom extending far
out beyond the stern. It is to this vessel that we are indebted
for many of the improvements in-
troduced in years past into the
designs of our own fastest yachts.
The Bermudians, says Smyth,
" claim to be the fastest craft in
the world for working to wind-
ward in smooth water, it being
recorded of one that she made
five miles dead to windward in
the hour during a race ; and
though they may be laid over
until they fill Avith water they
will not capsize." AVe occa-
sionally see rated racing boats
rigged Bermuda fashion, though the height of the mast is never
such as that spoken of above. At one time the rig was popular
in a modified form, the main becoming a sort of leg-of-mutton
sail (ivhich see) ; and for beginners, who may have the opportunity
of choosing the class of boat they will take up, probably no safer
or more instructive rig could be recommended. Another rig hailing
from the same islands, and having two masts, is described under
the heading BERMUDA RlG.
"Scud like a mudian." — From the above, the meaning of this
expression will explain itself. It implies " be off quickly," or "as
quickly as a mudian."
Muffle (oars). — To put soft material round the leathers of oars
to prevent noise. (Only done in warfare.)
Mugian Rig.— {See Mudian Rig.)
Mumbleby or Mumblebee. — A name applied by Brixham
fishermen to a boat midway in size between a hooker and a trawler.
Muntz metal. — A substitute for copper, in the sheathing of the
bottoms of vessels. It answers well and is much less expensive
than copper, but cannot compare with it as a permanent covering.
It is an alloy of copper and zinc.
Muster. — To assemble together for the purpose of resuming or
commencing work. The word would properly appear to mean the
calling over of names, as from a muster-roll.
184 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
N.
Nab. — A reef of rocks below water. The name of such a reef off
the east of the Tsle of Wight, marked by the Nab lightship (which
shows a double flash every 45 sees.), often spoken of in yacht racing.
Nails. — Clincher Haifa have square shanks. They are driven and
withdrawn without splitting planks.
Single deck nails.— Nails about 6 in. or 6 in. in length.
Double deck nails. — About 7 in. long. Both these used in
fixing large timbers, such as decks, carlines, etc.
Ten-penny nails.— About 2J in. in length (originally tenpence
per pound).
Narrows. — Small passages between lands, submerged or dry,
or between sands, as " The Narrows," a name met with in many
rivers and estuaries.
Nautical voile.— {See Mile.)
Naval architecture. — " The science of designing the forms
for 'vessels." It is, therefore, distinct from shipbuilding, which
is " the application in practice of the theoretical designs of the
naval architect."
Naval cadet. — A gentleman's son training for service as a naval
combatant officer.
Naval crown (with the Romans). — "A crown of gold or silver,
adorned with the figures of beaks of ships, which it was their custom
to give as a reward to those who had first boarded an enemy's ship."
Hence the naval crown has become a charge in heraldry.
Naval reserve. — An auxiliary naval force, originally formed in
1859, for men and officers.
Naval hoods, or hawse-bolters (in shipbuilding). — Large pieces
of thick timber above and below the hawse holes.
Navel Futtock. — The ground futtock of the midship timber in a
large vessel.
Navigation. — That branch of science which teaches the sailor
to conduct his ship from place to place. " To understand the
principles of navigation and their practical application, it is necessary
that the mariner should be acquainted with the form and magnitude
of the earth, the relative situations of the lines conceived to be
drawn on its surface, and that he should have charts of the coasts
and maps of the harbours which he may have occasion to visit. He
must also understand the use of the instruments for ascertaining the
direction in which a ship is steered, and the distance which she sails ;
and be able to deduce from the data supplied by such instruments
the situation of the ship at any time, and to find the direction and
distance of any place to which it may be required that the ship
should betaken." (Brande and Cox.)
Naze (Fr., ncz, a noze, as in Cap Gris Nez, a cape on the north
coast of France). — A projecting piece of land, as Walton-on-the-
Naze, Essex. (See also Nkss.)
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TERMS.
185
Neap. — Neap tides. — The lowest tides, taking place about five or
six days before the new and full moons. Any influence, such as
winds, and, as the fishermen say, frost, which tends to prevent the
tide from reaching its expected height, is said to " neap " or " nip " it.
To be beneaped is to be left aground by a receding spring tide, in
such a position that the next tide does not take the vessel off, and
she must, therefore, remain until the following spring tides.
Neck. — 1. Of a gaff or boom, that part immediately belund the
jaws, commonly called the throat (which see). 2. Of an oar, that
part immediately before the blade. (See OAK.)
Ness (Fr. nez, a noze). — A projecting piece of land, usually of
low level, as Orford Ness, Sheerness, etc. (See also Naze.)
Net. — Nettings. — Nets of rope, placed at various parts of a ship,
either for stowage or for protection against danger.
Torpedo nets. — A frame-work extended beyond and round a ship
of war to prevent the entrance of projectiles under water.
Nettles, or knittles. — Another name for a species of reef-
points. (See Knittles.)
News. — " Do you hear the news?" " a formula used in turning
up the; relief watch." (Smyth.) That is (in other words), the cry
with winch those who have completed their watch summon those
whose duty it is to relieve them.
Night watches. — " Night was originally divided by the
Hebrews and other Eastern nations into three watches. The
Romans, and after them the Jews, divided it into four, the first of
which began at sunset and lasted until about 9 p.m., the second till
midnight, the third till 3 a.m., and the last terminated at sunrise.
The ancient Gauls and Germans divided their time, not by days,
but by nights ; and the people of Iceland and the Arabs do the same
at this day. The like was observed by our Saxon ancestors." At
sea the difference between night and day is not taken into account,
and the night watches are the same as the day. (See WATCHES.)
Nip (of a cable or hawser). — To secure
it with a seizing.
Nippers. — Certain lengths of rope
fastening the cable to the messenger.
Selvage nippers. — Rope rings used
when the common nippers are not
strong enough to resist a strain.
Nip the tide. (See under Neap.)
Nock. — In sail-making, " the fore-
most upper corner of gaff-sails and of
a jib-shaped sail having a square tack. "
These jib-shaped sails with square tack,
as if a large piece of the foremost point
had been cut off, are now rare, though
occasionally seen in the stay sails of old «>3
vessels. In them the nock runs down *~- «i ,
the forward mast as shown in the figure. — >/'
186
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Nock earing. — The rope fastening the nock of a sail.
Nog. — A treenail driven through the heel of a shore (the shore
being a timber supporting a vessel on the slips). The shore is then
said to be nogged, and the operation is called nogging.
Noggin. — A small cup or spirit measure of about a quarter of a
pint.
No higher (in steering), no nearer to the wind. With reference
to the helm this actually means "a little more high," i.e., that the
boat is getting a little too close to the wind, and that, therefore, the
helm should be put a little up, or towards the wind. "No higher" is,
therefore, equivalent to helm up, bear up, etc. (See under HELM. )
No man's land. — In ships, a space amidships, but neither on
the starboard nor on the port side, from which circumstance the term
is supposed to be derived.
No nearer (Fr., pas au vent). — The French is more explanatory
of this term than the English. It is practically the same as no-
higher ; being an order to a steersman not to go so close to the wind
as to decrease the speed of the vessel. A boat may be capable of
sailing very close to the wind, and on occasions this is a very useful
quality, but she will make more speed by being kept a little off.
If speed is desired, therefore, and the boat is getting too close to the
wind, it will be well to keep her " no nearer," or " no higher."
Noose. — A running knot.
Nore. — An important spit of shifting sand at the mouth of the
river Medway, in the Thames estuary, and at the head of which is
placed the well known Nore lightship, displaying a light revolving
once in every 30 sees. It is the first passed on leaving the Thames.
Norfolk Broads. — A tract of land on the east side of Nor-
folk and Suffolk, penetrated by three main rivers — the Yare, the
Waveney, and the Bure — of which there are various tributaries.
These rivers widen
out in parts into
large meres or
open spaces called
broads, whence
the name of the
district. This is
the happy hunting
ground of shoot-
ing-men and ama-
teur yachtsmen,
and of those who
love an open space .
Norfolk wherry. -*■— *=^-
— A sailing barge £6&Yienr
peculiar to the FlG - *•
rivers of the " Broads " district of Norfolk and Suffolk. The hull
is pointed bow and stern, but the bow is to be distinguished by the
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TERMS.
187
eye, which is a white patch painted somewhat in the form of a boat's
transom. (See fig. 1.) The wherry has one mast, and carries only
one sail (being, in fact, the parent of the popular una rig), the peak
of which is carried up to a great height, so that when the vessel
penetrates into the upper reaches of the rivers where the trees over-
hang, and the banks are high, this peak may rise above them, and,
by thus catching the wind, bring it down into the body of the sail,
acting, in fact, in exactly the same manner as the topsail of a
cutter. And, indeed, it may be shown {see fig. 2) that though the
Norfolk wherry actually sets no topsail, its spread of canvas is
equivalent to that of craft which do: by hiding (in the fig. ) the
right-hand or cutter mast we have the wherry sail ; by hiding the
left-hand or wherry mast, we
have the main and topsail of the
fishing bawley or yacht. The
size of the wherry sail is also
capable of increase by the addi-
tion of a bonnet, laced or but-
toned along its foot, and always
used with fair winds. ( See fig. 1 . )
Except in this instance, the
bonnet is almost obsolete. The
mast of the wherry works in a
tabernacle : it is without shrouds
or any support beyond the fore-
stay, which stay also acts as a
fall for lowering and elevating
it. The wherry is a very close-
winded vessel, carrying a power-
ful weather helm, and is unsurpassed on its own waters, though
experiments have shown it to be unsuccessful elsewhere. Its-
burden may range from 30 to 60 or more tons. It does the greater
part of the carrying trade of the district ; and of late years, steam
has been applied to it with tolerable success.
Norman. — A short bar thrust into one of the holes in a capstan,
so that a turn may be taken.
North. — The principal of the four cardinal points of the com-
pass, and on the mariner's card usually marked by an ornamented
arrow head or a fleur de lys, to distinguish it from all the others.
Northing. — The difference of latitude made by a ship in sailing
northward ; or, in other words, the distance towards the north made
by her in a specified time.
Norwegian. — Norwegian
skiff. — A boat of peculiar form
and wonderful buoyancy. (See
fig.)
Norwegian yawl. — A Scan-
dinavian sailing boat, yawl Nokwkgian Ship's Boat.
Fig. 2.— Norfolk whkrky.
188
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TERMS.
rigged, and notable for its buoyancy. It is said
to be the parent of the peter boat (which j sec) .
Smyth speaks of it as follows : — " This, of all
small boats, is said to be the best calculated for a
liigh sea ; it is often met with at a distance from
land, when a stout ship can hardly cany any sail."
Nose. — The iron piece protecting the stem-head
of an open boat. From this, the foremost point
of the boat itself is sometimes called the nose.
(See accompanying figure, also diagrams under
Fkame. )
Nothing off. — To keep a boat nothing off,
is to keep her head right on, or up to the wind.
{See also under Helm.)
Nun buoy. — A buoy in the shape of a double
cone. (See fig.)
Oakum. — The substance to which old ropes
are reduced when unpicked. It is used in caulking
the seams of boats, and in stopping leaks, etc.
Oar. — By this is understood, to-day, the single
oar, handled by one man alone, in contradistinction to
sculls, which go in pairs, both being handled by the
same person. The oar is longer, and, therefore, a more
powerful lever than the scull ; but it is found in practice
that a given number of men propelling a boat by sculls
make considerably greater speed than the same crew
using oars. The propulsion of a boat by means of oars
is called voicing : when sculls are tised it is no longer
rowing, but sculling. This distinction is of importance
to those who would wish to be correct in their rowing
phraseology. Sweeps are long oars used by sailing-boats,
barges, lighters, etc. (See Sweep.) The oars used by
fishermen are very long and heavy, with very long
inboard. They are difficult to use, but immense power
is to be gained with them.
The parts of an oar, scull, or sweep are as follow
(see fig.) : — A is the blade, the curve in which is called the
Jcather. At sea oars are usually without the feather ; but
in smooth waters it is almost invariable. B is the neck ;
C the loom ; D the grip. By some, the whole distance
included from blade to grip is called the loom, if not fitted
with a leather. E is the leather. F the button. The
loom of an oar or scull may, of course, be shortened, but
it may also be lengthened some inches in the following
manner. The head of the grip being pared off quite
flat, a hole is bored down it into which a piece of hard
Nun Buoy.
c
!
EJ
r
Oar.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 189
wood (or in its place a double-threaded bolt) is firmly fitted. Anew grip
is then made, in which a hole is also bored, and this is fitted or screwed
on to the old grip, the joint being further secured by the aid of glue.
This is frequently done on the Upper Thames, and is found to answer
well if the substance of the oar or scull is stout enough to admit of it.
It may be well to warn purchasers of second-hand oars or sculls
to be wary of those with newly painted blades ; the paint is
occasionally put on to liide flaws or knots.
Back oars. — To press backwards on the oars so as to stop the pro-
gress of a boat. It is usually called backwater (which see).
" Get your oars to pass. " — An old expression signifying that the
oars should be got ready for rowing.
Lay on the oars. — To pause in rowing and lay the oars flat just
above the water. It is the same as to
Rest on the oars, or, in other words, to take a rest in rowing.
Out oars. — To get oars out ready for use.
Ship and unship oars. — To ship oars is to place them in the row-
locks ready for use : to unship, to take them out of their rowlocks
and replace them in the boat or elsewhere. (See Ship.)
Shove your oar in. — To intermeddle ; as, Don't shove in your oar,
i.e., Don't meddle.
Toss oars. — To lift them up into the air, all together, as is often
done in the Royal Navy, either as a salute or preparatory to shipping
or unshipping.
Oase. — See Ooze.
Ochre. — A reddish chalk used by shipbuilders in marking timbers
when forming them.
Off. — 1. In general nautical conversation this word means
" away from the shore," thus : " the wind is blowing off " signifies
that it is blowing off the shore. " The vessel is standing off "
describes her as withdrawing from the land.
Offward, or off, is often expressed of a vessel aground which mav
cant " offward, " or lie " with her stern off. "
2. It may also mean near to or abreast of, as " we lay off Dover. "
Off and on. — Nearing and withdrawing, as with a ship tacking,
which stands " off and on the shore " alternately.
Off the reel. — At once, quickly. Just as the log Line would hut
off the reel. (.See Log.)
Off the wind. — Sailing with the wind abaft the beam. (Compare
this with On the u;ind. )
Offing. — Those aboard vessels lying in a bay or harbour speak of
the offing, meaning thereby the outside sea, where the water is deep
and the force of a gale is felt. It may, under other circumstances ,
denote any part of the sea at a distance.
To keep a good offing is to keep well off some shore.
Nothing off. — To keep a boat right on, that is, as near to the wind
as she will bear.
Oil. — " Oil on troubled waters. " — It is a well-known fact that a
few drops of oil dropping from a bladder placed over a ship's stern
190 A DICTION AKY OF SEA TEEMS.
will smooth the surface of the sea, where the waves are breaking,
and prevent them from overrunning her, the reason being that the
friction of the wind upon the waves is reduced. A treatise upon its
use will be found in Lloyd's " Seaman's Almanac," 1897.
Oil-shins, or oileys. — ' Oileys " is the fisherman's term for oilskin
clothes, used in rainy or rough weather. These men sometimes make
their own "oileys," and formerly always did so; but of late years
they have become cheap enough to save the necessity of doing this.
The manner in which these suits were made was very simple : having
been cut out of coarse calico, and made up, they were steeped in
linseed oil and then hung out on a bine, being constantly reversed
until quite dry. This was generally done in the spring, to allow
the oil ample time to diy before the following winter, it often
taking several months. Everyone boating or yachting during the
winter should be possessed of a suit of oilskins
Oil motors (for boats). — These are coming considerably into
vogue, but have to compete with both steam and electricity. There
is no doubt, however, that their convenience is very great, and
that their future is very promising. The advantages of oil over
steam should be freedom from soot, economy of space, and the
capability of getting up power in a few minutes. Against this
there is smell (though it cannot be said that the steam engine is want-
ing in this respect), and especially want of power. A small steam
engine of, say, 6 horse power nominal, may, upon emergency, be
pushed to 12, or even 18 h.p., and becomes a very powerful machine.
An oil-motor, on the other hand, of 6 h.p. nominal can never be
made to reach even its nominal power. The power of oil motors is
expressed in brake horse power — that is, in the power actually given
off from the flywheel : about 20 per cent, must be taken off this to
arrive at the actual working power. Priestmans' or the Daimler
patterns of oil motor appear to be as good as any, but it is im-
possible, in the face of daily improvements, to recommend any one
over another. Oil motors have been successfully applied to launches,
North Sea fishing vessels, small open boats, and even to lifeboats.
Old boats. — Beware of them.
Old horse.— Old salt beef. (Sec Horse.)
Oleron.— Laics of Oleron. — "Certain laws of the Navy or
Marine which were framed and drawn up by Richard I. at the island
of Oleron, near the coast of Poictou, the inhabitants of which have
been deemed able mariners for these seven hundred years past.
These sea laws, which have been reckoned the most excellent of the
kind, are recorded in the Black Book of the Admiralty."
On. — The opposite to "off." So the wind may be "on the
shore " — i.e., blowing towards it. In sailing we may have the wind
on the beam, on the bow, or on the quarter, terms which will explain
themselves.
To be on. — To be in the act of doing something. Thus we may
say, " There is a high sea on."
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEEMS. 191
To be sailing on the wind is to be sailing with the wind before the
beam, and therefore close-hauled. (Compare this with Off the wind.)
In square-rigged ships this is called sailing on a taut bowline.
On end. — The same as " an end" — i.e., the position of any spar
when standing upright, or when set, as a topmast which is " an
end " when swayed and fidded.
End on. — Meeting a vessel on end. (See END-ON.)
"One, two, three and belay!" — The song with which the
seamen bowse out the bowlines ; the last hauling being completed by
" Belay oh !"
Ooze. — The thin mud which settles along the banks of certain
rivers. It is so light as almost to float, and is sometimes of un-
fathomable depth.
Open. — Open boat. — A boat absolutely without decking.
Open hawse. — A clear cable (when a vessel is riding by two
anchors. )
Open roadstead. — A hazardous refuge, offering but poor protection
to vessels.
Open sea. — The same as the high sea — i.e., beyond the three mile
limit over which a country claims jurisdiction.
Opposite tacks. — Two vessels, one on the port tack, the other
on the starboard, are said to be on " opposite tacks." Hence, in
general conversation, when two persons are at cross purposes, the
same is often said of them.
Ordinary seaman. — " The rating of one who can make him-
self useful on board, even to going aloft, and taking his part on a
topsail or top-gallant yard, but is not a complete sailor, the latter
being termed an able seaman." (Smyth.)
Orient — The East ; or the eastern point of the horizon.
Orlop (from " over-lop."). — Orlop beams. — Beams in a ship, ex-
tending across the lower part of the hold, and therefore often
called hold beams. (See diagram under Frame.) They sometimes
support that which is called the orlop deck, which may be the lowest
deck in a ship, or a temporary platform forming a sort of deck. In
the old warships certain of the store rooms were on this deck, and,
in frigates, the midshipmen's berth.
Out. — In the offing : at a distance. Away from the shore.
Thus " there is a good breeze out " means that there is a good breeze
out in the offing, though it may not be felt on shore. The vessel
is standing out," she is sailing away from the shore.
Outside has something of the same meaning, and implies " out at
sea " : generally spoken by those in a harbour or river, as "it blows
hard outside, " which would mean that it was blowing hard at sea,
though not, possibly, felt in the haven ; or " we are going outside,"
we are going outside the river into the sea, etc.
Out board. — Board means the side of a vessel, therefore "out
board" means outside her, or beyond the gunwale. Thus a bow-
sprit runs outboard, etc.
192 A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEBMS.
Out-class. — One vessel is said to " out-class" another when, as a
result of more modem improvements, she is greatly superior to
another in her own class.
" Out or down!" — A threat sometimes used at sea hy one sum-
moning another to his watch — " Out you get, or down goes your
hammock !"
Out-haul. — A rope which hauls out something, as the jib outhaul
does the tack of the jib. (See 3 IB.)
Outer jib. — One of the head sails of a ship. (See Jib.) Large
vessels usually set two standing jibs, the outer and the inner.
Outlielcer, or outlier. — Corruptions of outrigger (which see).
Out port. — A port on the coast of the united Kingdom away
from London, or from a ship's headquarters.
Out-regan. — A canal or ditch navigable by boats.
Outside planking. — The outer strakes of a vessel, which are
variously named, as the garboard strakes, wales, etc. (See diagrams
under FRAME.)
Out of trim. — The state of a ship not properly balanced in the
water. (See Trim.)
Outer turns and inner turns. — Expressions used with regard to
square sails. " The outer turns of the earing serve to extend the
sail outwards along its yard. The inner turns are employed to bind
the sail close to the yard." (Smyth.)
Out-rig. — To extend anything out from the side of a vessel ; hence,
Outrigger. — A projecting piece from any part of a vessel, which
serves to give greater leverage or base to oars, ropes, sails, etc.
(See also CHANNELS. ) Thus a small boomkin (or bumpkin), such as is
often used for the working of a mizzen, is sometimes called an out-
rigger. The term, however, has a more familiar application in the
case of rowing boats, and more especially those used for racing.
In these, outriggers are light projecting brackets supporting the row-
locks, and giving a vastly greater length of leverage for the oars or
sculls. On rivers they are now always employed, and of late years
have often been adopted in pleasure skiffs, when, however, they
project in a lesser degree and are known as half-outriggers: but
these skiffs are less convenient in crowded or narrow waterways
than those Avhich are in-rigged, that is, which have the rowlocks
(or tholes) on the gunwale or saxboard. A boat fitted with out-
riggers is usually called " an outrigger." (See diagram under Rig.)
Outward bound. — A ship on its voyage away from home.
Ouvre l'oeil. — " Amarkon French charts over supposed dangers. "
Over. — Over ancnt. — " Opposite to." Thus a boat lying at
Gravesend may talk of another " over anent " Tilbury Pier.
Over-bear. — One vessel overbears another if she carries more sail
in a fresh breeze.
Overboard. — Over the side of the ship. The " board," in nautical
phraseology, means the side.
Overblow (of the wind). — To blow so hard that a vessel can carry
no topsails.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 193
Overcast. — 1. (Of the weather). — Cloudy: the , sun not seen.
2. In ship-building, to overcast is to measure up — hence,
Overcasting staff. — A measuring staff used by ship-wrights.
Overfall. — The eastern-county name for certain banks or shoals
near the surface of the sea, such as Blakeney Overfall ; Sherringham
•Overfall ; Stuky Overfall, near the Norfolk coast. Also another
name for a tide-rip or race (ivhich see).
Overgrown. — A term occasionally used for an exceptionally high sea.
Overhand (in knots). — A simple knot made by passing the end
of a rope over its standing part, and then through the bight. It
may also be called a thumb-knot. (See Knots.)
Hand over hand (In hauling on a rope). — Hauling in quickly and
■with one hand passed alternately over the other.
Overhaul. — 1. To examine or inspect.
2. To catch up or overtake.
To overhaul a rope. — To slacken it off.
To overhaul a tackle. — To open out or extend its parts — that is,
its blocks and ropes — so that they may be made use of again,
when they have been brought close up, or fleeted.
Over-launching. — Scarfing or splicing one timber over another to
strengthen the two.
Over-masted. — A boat is thus described when her masts are too
long, which in yachts is not of rare occurrence. In such cases
masts are cut down, and often with great benefit to the boat.
Over-pressed. — A vessel carrying too much sail.
Over-rake (of the waves of the sea). — When the waves break over
a vessel at anchor they are sometimes said to over-rake her.
Over-rate. — A racing yacht or sailing boat is said to be over-rated
when she is too much handicapped. Hence, a person of whom too
high an opinion is held, is spoken of in the same manner.
Over-rigged. — Spoken of a vessel having more or heavier gear
than necessary.
Over-risen. — Too high out of the water.
Over-run. — When the waves overtake a vessel and come in upon
her, they are said to over-run her.
Over-sea. — From a foreign port.
Over-shoot. — To give a vessel too much way, so that, in coming up
to a mooring or pier, she misses the mark and shoots beyond it.
Over and under turns (of square sails). — Terms applied to the
passing (securing) of an earing. There are also the outer and inner
turns, etc.
Ox. — Ox bows — Bends, or reaches, in a river.
Ox-eye. — A name given by mariners to a small cloud or meteor,
seen at the Cape of Good Hope, etc., which presages a dreadful
storm. It appears at first in the form or size of an ox's-eye, but
descends with such celerity that it seems suddenly to overspread the
whole hemisphere, and at the same time forces the air with such
violence, that ships are sometimes scattered several ways, some
•directly contrary, and many sunk downright. (Falconer.)
194 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Oyster. — Oyster-laying. — A place, either in the sea or in some
river, where oysters are hred or fattened.
Oyster dredge. — The implement with which the " dredger man "
drags the bottom of a " laying " for oysters. In old days he often
accompanied his labours by a monotonous chant, Avhich also served
to charm the oysters into his dredge. Hence the old lines : —
" The herring loves the moonlight,
The mackerel loves the wind ;
The oyster loves the dredgerman's song,
For he comes of a gentle kind."
P.
Packet. — A small passenger or mail boat. " This word meant
originally a vessel appointed by Government to carry the mails
between the mother country and foreign countries or her own
dependencies." (Brande and Cox.)
Pad, or pad-piece. — A piece of timber laid (when required) upon
the beams of a vessel to form the lateral curve (or camber) in the
form of the deck. (See diagrams under Frame.)
Paddle. — The oar or propeller used by canoeists, and having
its origin among savage nations ; it may have a blade at one or both
ends. To paddle, therefore, in canoeing, is to propel the boat with
the paddle.
Paddle boat-hook. — A boat-hook and paddle combined. It forms
part of the inventory of an Upper Thames pleasure skiff, and is a
very useful implement. {See Bo AT-HOOK. )
To paddle in rowing with oars or sculls has another meaning,
viz. : to row easily, i.e., not at a high speed.
Paddles (on a steam boat). — Tbe flat boards on the propelling
wheels ; though the wheels are occasionally spoken of as the paddles ;
and the coverings over the wheels are called the paddle boxes.
Paddle boat. — A steam vessel propelled by paddle-wheels.
Paddy's hurricane. — A dead
calm ; or, at best, a breeze in-
sufficient to float a pennant.
Painter. — A rope attached
usually to a ring inside the stem-
post of an open boat, by which it
may be made fast alongside a
quay, etc.
" Cut your painter." — A slang expression for "Be off ! "
Pair-oar. — A boat rowed by one pair of oars. It was also the
name sometimes given to the old London wherry.
Palm. — In sail-making, a contrivance for taking the place of a.
thimble, and used by seamen and sail-makers. It fits the ball of the
thumb and palm of the hand.
Palm of an anchor. — The flattened side of the fluke. {See ANCHOR. >
£ DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
195
Pandoor. — A huge foreign oyster.
Parallel sailing (at sea). — Sailing on a circle parallel to the
Equator.
Parallels of latitude. — Lines drawn round the earth parallel to
the Equator.
Parbuckle. — A method of lifting a cask or some other heavy
object, by doubling a rope into two legs, passing them under the
object and hauling on both together.
Parcel. — To parcel rope. (See Worm, Parcel and Serve.)
Farclose. — The limber-holes in a vessel are occasionally called
by this name.
Parliament- heel. — " A term used to imply the situation of a
ship when she is made to stoop a little to one side, so as to clean the
upper part of her bottom on the other
side, and cover it with a fresh composi-
tion." (Falconer.) But the term often
means only a slight heel, as when a
vessel lays over under canvas.
Parrel. — Generally speaking, any
apparatus which keeps a yard to its
mast. Thus the parrel of a gaff is a
rope upon which is strung a row of
hard wooden balls and encircling the
mast, the ends being attached to eacli
jaw of the gaff. (See fig. 1, also under
Gaff.) The parrel of a lug sail may
be either an iron ring on the mast or
a loop made in the halyard. (See
Lug.) The rib-and-truek parrel was
a device often used in old ships, and
may still be occasionally seen. It con-
sisted of a number of battens or ribs,
between each of which a series of
trucks (small wooden balls) were
strung (see fig. 2.). The lines being
unreeved, these parts would fall into
a number of disjointed pieces. Hence
the term "ribs and trucks " is some-
times used to mean mere fragments.
Fart. — To part. — To be driven from the anchors; said of a ship
when she breaks her cable.
Standing part and running part. — Parts of a rope in use. (See
under each heading and under Tackle.)
Partners.— The framework which supports the mast by the
deck. (See Mast.)
Pass. — A term used by seamen to express the accomplishment of
something, as to pass the gaskets, topass a lashing, i.e., to take turns
with a rope round a yard, etc.
O 2
Fig. 2.
196 A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
Fasse volant. — " A name applied by the French to a quaker or
wooden gun on board ship ; but it was adopted by our early
voyagers as also expressing a movable piece of ordnance. " (Smyth.)
Passenger.— A person carried in a ship, but who does no work
in her. Persons taken in pleasure boats are sometimes called thus,
and if, in the course of a rowing match, any rower becomes disabled
he is said to have become a passenger.
Pattens. — {See Mud Pattens.)
Pawl, or drop pawl. — A small stop, or catch, which prevents a
moving object from going beyond a certain Limit, such as the pawl of a
rack wheel, which stops the wheel from running backward ; the pawl
of a capstan, which acts in the same manner ; a mast pawl, which con-
fines a lowering mast in its place ; a rowlock pawl, which may be a
metal catch or merely a piece of rope across a pair of rowlocks pre-
venting an oar from being dislodged, etc.
Pawl bits. — Timber to which the pawls of a large capstan are
attached.
Pay. — To give a coating of paint, tar, or any other material to
anything requiring it. Thus a ship's bottom may be payed with
pitch ; a rope with tar ; a spar with grease, etc. So also topay a
seam of the decking of a vessel is to pour melted pitch into the
seam.
Pay away. — To slacken off; usually said of a rope, or the sheet of
a sail, when it requires to be loosened out.
Pay off. — 1. In the Royal Navy, to pay the men's wages and
dismiss them. 2. In sailing, to allow a vessel's head to fall a'lee —
i.e., away from the wind. Thus it is under some circumstances the
same as pay away — except that it refers directly to the boat and not
to any particular part of her rigging. Sometimes, in tacking, a boat's
head refuses to pay off : at such times she may be assisted by
holding the headsails to windward. If she does not then come
round she becomes "hung up in the wind." {See Tack.)
Pay out (of a cable or any other rope). — To
slacken it out. Almost equivalent to pay away.
Sometimes to pay out means to slacken away
gradually, bit by bit, instead of letting the rope
or cable go off as it will.
Pay round. — To turn a vessel's head round,
away from the wind, as in paying off.
Peak.— 1. The upper end of a gaff. But it
is also the uppermost corner of a sail carried
by a gaff.
Peak halyards are the halyards which elevate
the peak. They usually consist of a tackle.
The rope being first secured to the gaff at a
point not far distant from the peak, passes
through a block at the mast head, thence to
a block lower down the gaff, back again to Peak.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
197
another block on the mast, then down to the deck, where it is
belayed in small craft, usually to the port (left-hand) side of the
mast. The pendants of the peak halyards are those parts of the
rope which run between the mast and the gaff. When the mainsail,
having been lowered, is to be covered with the sail cloth, these
pendants must be detached, and either hooked to slings or strops
which pass under the boom, or looped round the boom as it rests
on the cratches.
Peak line.— A. small rope passing through a block at the guy end
of the gaff. It is sometimes called the flag halyard, because the
ensign or some other flag is often hoisted at the peak as a signal.
The peak line is also much employed to haul down the peak when
the gaff jams.
Peak purchase. — In large vessels, a purchase applied to the peak
halyards to swing them up taxit.
2. The peak, on the fluke of an anchor, is the apex of the fluke.
It is often called the bill. (See Anchor.)
The anchor a'pcak. — The anchor brought to such a position that
it stands perpendicularly on the ground. (See ANCHOR.)
To stay peak, or ride a short peak or long peak (of old ships). —
When the cable and forestay were in about the same straight line
it was a short peak. With the main stay and cable in a line, it was
a long peak.
To peak. — To raise a yard or gaff obliquely to its mast.
Fore peak. — A place in the fore part of some small vessels in
which stores may be kept.
Pegging to windward. — Making a dead peg to windward.
The same as working to windward. (See under Beat. )
Fencel. — A small stream-
er, wheft, or pennant.
Pendant, or pennant
(pronounced " pennant "). —
1. A long pointed flag,
usually a signal, as the
answering pennant in the In-
ternational Signal Code, or
the eonimodore's broad pen-
nant in the Royal Navy.
2. (In rigging.) — It must
be understood that a hal-
yard is often a tackle, the
ropes of which are often
distinguished into two parts
Commodore's Bro«.i "P«nn.an,C
-(1) the pendant, or that Tftckie.
part which runs between
the blocks, and (2) the fall,
which is the part hauled
upon. Thus the fore pendant
Is that part of the fore
PcncLcLTtt -
198 A DICTION ABY OF SEA TERMS.
halyard which runs out from the mast-head to the stemhead, when
the foresail is down. The jib pendant.— The same out-running
part of the jib-halyard. Peak pendants. — Those parts of the peak
halyards which run out between the masthead and the gaff. And,
since these parts of the halyards are called pendants, so may the
bob-stay ropes be counted in the list, which includes several — and,
in ships, a large number of others.
But there are also other pendants, which are short hanging ropes,
un connected with blocks, used for a variety of purposes, as reef
pendants — short lines sometimes rove through cringles on the
leech of a sail at the time of reefing, or sometimes hanging per-
manently, their office being to lash down the clew of the sail, prior
to reefing. And, in this sense, the tack, which is a short rope
hanging from the tack of a fore-and-aft sail, for hauling the tack
down, is also a pendant.
People. — At sea, a ship's company was always known by this
term, more particularly in the Royal Navy ; but it did not include
the commissioned officers.
Peter boat. — A row and sailing boat, short, pointed bowandstern,
almost half-decked, and having a sort of well in which to keep fish.
It is used by the fresh-water fishermen of the Thames. Formerly
there was a considerable fishery for smelt, lamprey, and various
fresh and salt water fish above and
below London, and these peter boats
were largely employed. Of late years,
however, although a few are to be seen »_ <A
in the upper reaches, they are becoming
scarce. (See also under HEBBING. ) The
below-bridge peter boats were of larger 4» <?,.-"■
size than those used higher up, but of '? -~. -1^ petrrSoa-f
the same class. The peter boat is so
named after St. Peter, the patron of fishermen. They originate
from Norway and the Baltic (see Norwegian Yawl), where they
are said to have been no more than 25ft. in length, with 6ft. of
beam. "Yet," says Smyth, "in such craft, boys were wont
to serve out seven years' apprenticeship, scarcely ever going on
shore."
Peter man. — 1. " One who fishes in the river of Thames with an
unlawful engine." (Bailey, 18th century.) 2. " The Dutch fishing
vessels that frequsntsd our eastern coast." (Smyth.)
Pharos. — In popular language, a lighthouse ; but the word has
almost gone out of use. It was derived from the great light tower
erected on the island of Pharos at the mouth of the harbour of
Alexandria, and which came to be looked upon as one of the
wonders of the world.
Pick. — Picking up a wind. — Going out of one's course to find a
wind. The practice is common with sailing ships when passing from
one trade wind to the other.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 199
Pickle. — Any artificial preservative or preparation for metal or
wood. Iron is pickled, that is, steeped, in sulphuric acid and water
before being galvanised. Wood may be payed with a coating of
ereasote or sulphate of copper, which preserves it against wet or dry,
barnacles, etc. ; and this also may be called a pickling.
Pier. — Piers may be either of wood, iron or stone, and are
erected either to facilitate the landing of passengers and goods from
vessels ; as breakwaters ; or solely as pleasure promenades. Those
made of stone are often called moles, more especially when of great
width. Of the first sort the pier of Southend, at the mouth of the
Thames, may be noted ; it is the longest in the kingdom, probably
in the world. At Tynemouth is a long stone pier, or narrow mole,
which serves as a breakwater at the mouth of the great northern
river. Pleasure piers are to be found at Brighton, Hastings, and
other seaside resorts. A small pier, at which goods may be landed
from barges and such like craft, is sometimes called a jetty (which
see). Piles are sometimes called piers because they support a weight,
as do the piers, or pillars, of a church.
Pig (of iron). — Pig iron is very useful as ballast for a sailing boat,
and has this advantage, that it is cheap.
Piggin. — A little pail with a long handle. It may be a baler
or what not.
Pike. — A bar of iron, or a bar of wood shod with iron ; origin-
ally used in boarding an enemy's vessel. In military affairs it
was used until the introduction of the bayonet.
Pil, or pyll (perhaps from the Dutch). — " A creek subject to
the tide."
Pile. — A piece of timber or iron, driven, with others, into the
ground or into the bed of a river, for the support of a pier, bridge,
etc. The following is mainly from Brande and Cox's " Dictionary of
Science, Literature, etc. " : " They may be round or square, and when
of wood must be of a quality which does not rot under water, or
which is able to resist the attack of the Teredo navalis, and other
boring worms or insects. Oak, elm, fir, hacmatac, green-heart,
etc., are the woods most generally employed for the purpose. The
end of the pile that enters the ground is, in these cases, pointed and
shod with iron ; and the top of it is bound with a strong iron hoop
to prevent the piles being split, or their heads beaten up to a
kind of pulp, by the violent strokes of the monkey by which they
are driven down. Iron piles are now much used, and they are made
large enough to allow the foundation to be carried down to the
bottom of their penetration . "
1. Pile-driver. — "An engine for driving piles. It consists of
a large monkey, or block of cast iron, which slides between two
guide posts. Being drawn up to the top of its course, and then
let fall from a considerable height, it comes down upon the
head of the pile with a violent blow, proportioned to the weight
of the monkey multiplied by the height, diminished, of course,
200
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
by the friction that the monkey meets with in its descent." It
may be worked by hand or by steam : the monkey is lifted with a
catch-hook, which, as it reaches the top of the machine, is caught
by a spring and disconnected, thus allowing the weight to drop
automatically. In some cases, where the nature of the soil will
allow of it, screw piles are employed. These are round iron piles
to which are fitted large screw flanges ; and the pile being turned Try
machinery screws itself to the desired depth. Southend pier, at the
mouth of the Thames, is supported entirely upon screw piles, a
distance of a mile and a quarter.
2. Pile-driver (of ships). — A name given to a vessel which pitches
heavily in a sea way.
Pilot. — A man qualified and licensed to take ships in or out of a
harbour, or channel, at certain fixed rates. The pilot is absolute
master of a vessel while in " pilot water " — the latter term meaning
the water in which he pilots the ship— his fees being calculated upon
the ship's draught of water. The origin of the pilot's office is to be
found, according to Wedgwood, in the word peilen, to sound ; his duty
before the existence of charts being to navigate bis vessel by means
of the sounding lead.
Pillars. — In ship-building, pieces of wood or iron supporting the
decks in some vessels, and acting as the columns of a church.
Pillar of the hold. — A main stanchion with notches in it, which
may be used as steps in descending to the hold.
Pillow. — A block of timber whereon the inner end of some spar,
such as the bowsprit, is rested.
Pin. — Of a block, the axle.
Belaying pin. —A pin, forming a sort of
cleat, round which a halyard or any other
rope may be belayed. In a yacht or sailing
boat several of them will be found around
the lower part of the mast, in the spider-
hoop, for the belaying of the halyards. In
larger vessels they are often fitted into a
bar or fife-rail at the side of the boat, or
across the shrouds, when they may also
be called jack-pins. But they may be
placed wherever convenient.
Pin doivn. — 1. (In sailing). When the
sheet is hauled in too close, and the
boat's head is kept too close into the eye of the wind, she is said
to be pinned down, and the consequence is that she makes little
or no way. Beginners are too apt to pin their vessels down in this
manner.
2. A vessel is said to be pinned down by the head when her
head is low down in the water, either on account of an excess
of weight forward, or, if at anchor, when her cable is too
short.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 201
Finch-gut money. — An expression used by merchant seamen
for money paid to them, in certain vessels, at the end of a voyage,
to the value of such stores as they were entitled to hut have not
drawn.
Pingle. — An old name for a small north-country coasting vessel.
Pink. — In the Dutch fisheries, a two-masted boat of the ketch
type. (See Dogger.) " A name given to a ship with a very
narrow stern. Those used in the Mediterranean Sea differ from the
Xebecs only in being more lofty and not sharp in the bottom ; they
are vessels of burden, have three masts, and carry lateen sails."
(Falconer, 1790.)
Pinnace (in the Royal Navy). — An open boat propelled usually
by oars, though in modern times some have been fitted with engines,
working either by steam, electricity or oil-gas. The boat ranges
from 28 to 32 feet in length, and is used for general purposes.
Pinrack (at sea). — A rack or framework on the deck of a
vessel, consisting of blocks and cleats for the working of ropes. {See
Rack. )
Pintles. — The pins on a rudder which fit into the goodgeons, or
eyes, on the stern-post of the boat. (See Rudder.)
Piracy.— Felony on the seas or in harbour. Various acts are
now enumerated as piracy, such as violence, boarding against the
will of the master, etc. (See CORSAIR.)
Fitch. — The residuum of boiled tar. It is valuable both for
preserving the planks of new vessels and for hiding the defects of
old ones.
Plain sailing.— (See Sailing.)
Flank. — Planking (in shipbuilding). — The covering of the ribs of
a hull with planks disposed in strakes ; in other words, the skin of a
ship. (See FRAME, )
Plank on edge. — A slang or jocular term for a very narrow boat,
supposed to resemble a plank on its edge.
Plankshccr, or planlcsharc (the sheer plank). — The outermost
plank of the deck, or, in other words, the plank in a deck which is
nearest the side of the vessel. It usually overlaps the sheerstrake
and has apertures cut along its sides to admit of the timber heads
(the head of each rib) projecting through it. It is usually of hard
wood ; sometimes of handsome wood, such as mahogany, and in
these cases adds considerably to the appearance of the deck.
Plate. — In shipbuilding, usually a flat piece of iron. Thus
channel plates are flat bars fastened to the sides of a vessel, and
bent over the channels where those exist, or taking their place
where they are dispensed with. (See CHANNELS.)
Backstay platen. — Smaller bars than the channel-plates, and fixed
to the vessel's sides further aft than those, to take the tackles of
the back-stays. They are usually so set as to follow the line of
the stays, so that there may be no lateral strain upon them.
202 A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
Futtock plate. — A large plate at the heads of the masts in
large vessels, to take the shrouds of the top-mast. (See under
Futtock.)
Play.— The motion of all the members of the frame of a vessel
as she sails. (See Give. )
Fledge. — A string of oakum used in caulking.
Plug.— Boats intended for beaching often have a hole cut
through the bottom to let out any water which may accumulate in
them. The stopper to this hole is called the plug, or bung : it
may be either a cork or a patent screw-plug.
Plumb. — Perpendicular.
To plumb. — To test the perpendicularity of anything, just as
carpenters do, Avith the plumb-line and weight ; the weight actually
being the plumb.
Plummet. — The name sometimes given to the leaden weight
attached to the lead-line (which see).
Ply (from " apply "). — To ply an oar is to row.
To ply for hire, as with watermen, to seek or ask for hire.
Point. — In geography, a projecting cape, as Portland Point.
To point a rope. — To untie the ends, take out a portion of them,
and weave a sort of mat round the diminished portion so that it
may easily go through a hole, etc.
To point a sail. — To fix the reef points.
Point the yards to the wind. — With square-rigged vessels, to brace
the yards sharp up when the vessel lies at anchor, so that they may
not receive the impulse of the wind.
Points of the compass. — The thirty-two parts into which the card of
the mariner's compass is divided. (See Compass.)
Cardinal points. — The four main points of the compass— North,
South, East, and West.
Reef jioints. — Short ropes hanging from small eyes across a sail,
to secure part of the sail in reefing (ivhich see).
Folacre (Fr.). — " A ship with three masts, usually navigated in
the Mediterranean : each of the masts is commonly formed of one
piece, so that they have neither tops nor cross-trees ; neither have
they any horses to their yards, for the men stand upon the top-sail
yards to loose or furl the top gallant sails, the yards being lowered
sufficiently down for that purpose. These vessels are generally
furnished with square sails upon the main mast, and lateen sails
upon the fore and mizzen masts. Some of them, however, carry
square sails upon all the three masts, particularly those of Provence,
in France." (Falconer.) The class is practically extinct.
Pole. — A rod used for pushing a boat along. For large craft,
such as barges, it should be a " richer " ; that is, a young tree in
itself, not made out of a plank. There are various poles : the
barge-pole, the quanting pole, the punting pole, etc. The quanting
pole, or quant, as it is generally called, is peculiar to Norfolk. (See
A DICTIONABY OP SEA TERMS.
203
under Quant.) The punting pole is much used up river,
hoth on the Thames and elsewhere : it requires some
experience to work properly.
The pole of a mast. — The upper end of the highest mast,
which rises ahove the rigging.
Pole mast. — A mast complete in itself ; that is without
the addition of a topmast : such is the mizzen of a yawl,
or the mast of a lug-sail-boat. Many of our river barges
have only pole masts. (See fig.)
Under. bare poles. — Having no sail set (only spoken, in
general, of square-rigged ships).
Scudding under bare poles. — Running before the wind
without any sail set. {See SCUD.)
Police {River Police). — {See Metropolitan Police.)
Ponent. — Western.
Pontoon. — "Anciently, square-built ferry boats for
passing rivers, as described by Cassar and Aulus Gellius."
A low, flat vessel, a number of which being placed together
may carry a bridge, as some of those over the Rhine, etc.
A portable boat. fr-^
Poop. — Properly an extra deck on the after part of a ■
vessel. (Sec diagrams under Deck.) "When raised over
a spar deck it is sometimes called a round house. Mast^f
Poop royal. — " A short deck or platform over the after- Bahge.
most part of the poop in the largest of the French and
Spanish men of war, and serving as a cabin for their masters and
pilots. This is the top gallant poop of our ship-wrights, and the
fore-mentioned round house of our merchant vessels." (Smyth.)
Pooping. — To be pooped. — When a sea comes over the stern of a
vessel it is said to ''poop" her. The effect of being pooped in an
•open boat will naturally be either to swamp her, or very nearly so.
The importance, then, of keeping before the sea, when running,
need hardly be enlarged upon. It may be accomplished by crowding
on sail, but this can only be done with judgment.
Pooping sea. — A wave which threatens to run over a vessel is thus
called.
To poop another vessel. — To run the bowsprit of one vessel under
the poop of another. -_
Poppets. — Timbers used in
launching a vessel. Also small
pieces on the gunwale of a boat
forming the rowlocks.
Popple. — A slang term for the
roughness of the sea. When it
blows there is said to be " a good
popple on, "or & poppling sea, mean-
ing that the sea is quick and short.
Port. — The left hand side of the on the Port Tack.
-vessel (sec fig. ). (See next page.)
204 A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
A'port. — Towards the port side, as "put the helm a'port," — i.e.,
put it over to the left-hand side.
Port tack. — A vessel is on the port tack when the wind is blowing
on her left-hand side {sec fig. on preceding page). In meeting or
passing a vessel on the starboard tack that one on the port tack
must give ivay — that is, pass astern, or by some other means get out of
the way. This is one of the most important rules of the road— theport
tack gives way. {See Rule OF THE ROAD, and STARBOARD Tack.)
Ports, port-holes. — Openings in the sides of a vessel, as the round
holes or windows so often seen in passenger steam-boats.
Port flange. — A piece of Avood placed over a port.
Port sills. — The planks of timber which lie horizontally in the
framing of a port-hole, top and bottom ; like window sills.
In port. — In harbour — the port in this instance being the destina-
tion of a vessel.
Port men. — " A name given in old times to the inhabitants of the
Cinque Ports. The burgesses of Ipswich are also so called."
(Smyth.)
Port mote. — A mote or court held in port (old term).
Port reeve. — Like shire-reeve (sheriff), a magistrate having
certain jurisdiction in a port (old term).
Portfire. — A stick or ribbon of composition for communicating
fire from a match to the priming of some weapon, as, in these days,
to a rocket.
Port last, or portoise. — The same as gunwale (old term).
Wind a'port. — With the wind blowing from the left. With the
wind a'port a vessel is, therefore, on the port tack.
Portuguese man-of-war. — A name given to one of the
acalcphcc of the tropical seas — the Physalis pelagica.
Posted (old Naval term). — Promoted from commander to captain.
Hence the term^ostf captain.
Pouches. — In vessels which are laden in bulk, strong bulkheads
(called pouches) are placed across the hold to prevent the cargo
from shifting.
Poulterer (on shipboard). — He whose business it is to look after
such stock as the poultry, in consequence of which he is also known
as " Jemmy Ducks." He has other duties besides, however.
Prayer book. — A small flat piece of holystone which may be
got into narrow crevices. A large piece of the stone is called the
bible, because used in a kneeling posture. A smaller piece, the
prayer book.
Press. — To be pressed. — To be reduced to straits. In old days,
to have been taken forcibly for Naval service.
Press canvas. — The fullest amount of canvas a racing yacht can
carry when ranning directly before the wind. {See under BALLOON
Canvas.)
Press gang. — In old days, a gang of men sent out from a ship to
take men by force into service.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 205
Preventer. — An additional rope supporting another when that
one is subject to unusual strain. Such are preventer braces on
square-rigged ships, which strengthen or take the place of the usual
traces.
Preventer bolts, in the preventer plates of large vessels.
Preventer plates, broad plates of iron below the chains in large
Preventer stay , or preventer back stay. — In fore-and-aft craft, a top-
mast back-stay easily slackened when the main-sail swings over,
from which cause they are occasionally called runners. {See diagram
under CUTTER.)
Prick. — To prick out on the chart (at sea) is to mark the course
and situation of a ship on the chart, after making the proper
observations.
Pricker, in sail-making, a small instrument with which to make
holes in sails.
Pricking sails.— A method once in vogue of strengthening old sails.
It consisted in running a middle seam between the two seams which
unite each of the cloths of it. The term may mean, however, merely
the stitching of two cloths of a sail together.
To prick for a soft plank. — To look out for an easy berth.
Pride of the morning.— A misty dew at sunrise.
Privateer. — The following is Falconer's account and definition :
" Privateers are vessels of war armed and equipped by particular
merchants, and furnished with commissions from the State to cruise
against and annoy the enemy by taking, sinking, or burning their
shipping. These vessels are generally governed on the same plan
with His Majesty's ships. The commission obtained by the
merchants empowers them to appropriate to their own use what-
ever prize they make, after legal condemnation ; and Government
allows them besides £5 (35 Geo. III. c. 66) for every man on board
a man-of-war or privateer, taken or destroyed, at the beginning of
the engagement ; and, in case we are at war with more potentates
than one, they must have commissions for acting against each of
them ; otherwise, if a captain carrying only one against the Danes,
should in his course meet with and take a Frenchman, this prize
is not good, but would be taken from him by any man-of-war he
met, and could not be condemned {for him) in the Admiralty, as
many have experienced."
Prize. — In war time, any vessel taken at sea from an enemy.
Proa. — A narrow sailing canoe of theLadrone Islands. It travels
so swiftly as to have received the name of "flying proa." The
boats of the Malays are also called proas.
' Procession of boats. — Boats in procession. The sight is very
pretty, and often takes place at night, each boat being illuminated
or decorated. Of recent years these processions have been revived
at Richmond, Kingston, Molesey, and elsewhere on the Thames, and
should be seen by all who have the opportunity.
206 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Profile draught. — In the lines of a ship. " A name applied to
two drawings from the sheer draught ; one represents the entire con-
struction and disposition of the ship, the other her whole interior
work and fittings." (Smyth.)
Proof timber. — In the lines of a ship. " An imaginary timber
expressed by vertical straight lines in the sheer draught to prove the
fairness of the body." (Smyth.)
Promenade deck.— (See Deck.)
Prow. — The beak or pointed cut-water of a galley.
Fucker. — In sail-making, a wrinkled seam.
Puddening. — A wreath or circle of cording or oakum fastened
round a mast to support the yards. They were employed in old
battleships in case the ropes by which the yards were held were
shot away. The lump of material was called the dolphin. A
puddening was also laid round the ring of an anchor to prevent a
hempen cable from chafing. And at the present day, a row boat's
nose is sometimes puddened to act as a permanent fender, or a thick
hempen rope may be carried entirely round the gunwale. This is
not uncommon on the best Thames skiffs; while the Gravesend
watermen's boats always have the nose puddened.
Pull. — In rowing phraseology the Avord " pull" is generally used
instead of the word row."
Pant. — A flat-bottomed boat usually propelled by a pole. Of late
years punting has become a very favourite amusement on the Upper
Thames ; punt racing has been organized, and a champion has sprung
up among us. Racing punts are of extremely light build, and,
properly punted, may be made to travel at an extraordinary speed.
The art of punting is by no means so easy as it looks. The pole is
worked on one side only, the punter standing in one place, some-
what forward. The principal fault to guard against, is that of
letting the pole get under the boat, the consequences of allowing
this to happen in a heavy punt being very unpleasant : care should,
therefore, be taken in casting it to keep it well away. Various
forms of punts have, of late, come into fashion, some propelled by
sail, some by paddles, and others by sculls. Rough punts are also
much used, in the upper reaches, for fishing.
Puoys. — Spiked poles propelling barges or keels. (Smyth.)
Purchase. — To purchase is to raise or move any heavy body by
means of mechanical powers, as a tackle, windlass, etc. Hence the
tackle itself has become known as the purchase ; and when a person
is able, by its means, to get a steady pull upon anything, he is said
to get " a good purchase. "
Purchase blocks. — Those used in a tackle for moving weights.
Purchase fall. — The rope of a tackle hauled upon. (See TACKLE. )
Purser (from purse). — " Formerly an officer in the British Navy,
whose chief duty consisted in keeping the accounts of the ship to
which he belonged ; but he also acted as purveyor. The title of
A DICTIONABY OP SEA TEEMS. 207
this officer has heen, since 1844, paymaster." (Brande and Cox.)
The title is still retained, however, in passenger ships.
Purser's dip. — The smallest dip-candle (old term).
Purser's grins. — Sneers.
Like a pursers shirt on a handspike. — A comparison used in des-
cribing clothes fitting very loosely.
Purser's stocking. — A slop " article, and therefore capable of
fitting any man, or, at least, of stretching itself to any man's fit.
Put. — Put about. — To turn a vessel's head about so that the wind
takes her on the other side ; in nautical language, called putting her
on the other tack. (See Tack.)
Put back. — To return to port for some reason after having left.
Put into port. — To run into some intermediate port from stress
of weather, or for any other cause.
Put off. — To quit or push off from a pier or quay: to start on a
voyage. ^
Put to sea. — To start on a voyage to sea.
Puttock. — Another name for futtock (which see) ; but
quite incorrect, for "futtock" is but an abbreviation of
foot- hook, and " puttock " can claim no such origin.
Q-
Quadrant. — The instrument once used in navigation, but
now long since superseded by the sextant (which see).
Quant. — Quanting is a method of punting a vessel peculiar
to Norfolk. The quanting pole (called the quant) is long and
fitted with head and toe pieces, as in the figure. It is used
in ferry -boats and in the large sailing wherries belonging to
the district, which have a narrow decking left each side of
the vessel's hold expressly to enable a man to work the quant,
the head of which he places against his shoulder, applying his
weight thereto and walking the whole length of this deck.
Quarter. — Literally, says Smyth, one quarter of the ship :
but in common parlance applies to 45 degs. abaft the beam.
In other words the quarters are those portions of the sides of Q UANT -
a vessel about half way between beam and
stern ; and, in their position aft of the beam,
may be said to correspond with the bows, which
lie forward of the beam.
Quarter boats. — The ship's boats carried on
her quarters.
Quarter deck. — That portion of the deck
covering the quarters. (See DECK.)
Quarter fast. — A rope or hawser holding a
vessel by the quarter. It is much the same as
a quarter spring (sec next page).
Quarter master. — One of the chief petty
officers on board a ship.
208 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Quarter point. — A subdivision of the compass card = 2° 48' 45".
(See Half Point.)
Quarter slings. — Supports attached to the quarters of a yard (see
below) .
Quarter spring, or chain. — A rope or chain from a vessel's quarter
to some other object. It is sometimes used in yacht racing when
the boats start from a fixed point : on the firing of the gun the
quarter spring is hauled upon, and the yacht's stern being thus
canted in the required direction, she is enabled to fill her sails and
make way.*
Quarter wind. — Wind blowing on the vessel's quarter.
Quarters. — The position in which men should place themselves
when called to their duties.
Quarters of a mast. — A term applied to some of the divisions
on a large mast, where the diameters are set off for lining or
marking.
Quarters of the yards. — Spaces into which yards are divided ; they
are termed first, second, and third quarter, and the outer end or
yard arm.
Quay. — An artificial landing place.
Queen (Queen's ship, Queen's parade, etc.). — For the sake of pre-
serving the old and more permanent name, where these and lake
terms are defined, they are placed under the heading King.
Quick. — Quicksand. — Shifting or loose sand : as it were " living"
sand. Quicksands may occur in patches on firm sand, without
anything to mark their presence, or they may be whole banks of
sand. Their depth is often unfathomable, whole ships disappearing
into them
Quick saver (in square-rigged ships). — " A span formerly used to
prevent the courses from bellying too much when off the wind. "
(Smyth.)
Quick work (in shipbuilding). — That part of a vessel's planking
which is above the ivale. It is, in fact, part of her bulwarks. It is
sometimes of deal, which, as it does not require the fastening nor
the time to finish that other parts do, is called quick work. (See
diagram under Frame. ) But Smyth gives the following : Quick work.
— 1. All that part which is under water when she is laden. 2.
That part of the inner and upper bulwarks above the covering
board. 3. The short planks worked in between the ports. In
general parlance quick work is synonymous with spirketting.
Quid (of tobacco). — That piece of tobacco which may often be
discovered within the mouth of a seafaring man. " Quid est hoc?"
asked one, tapping the swelled cheek of his messmate. " Hoc est
quid, " promptly replied the other.
Quilting. — The application of a coating or jacket to some bottle
to prevent it from breaking.
* The terms quarter spring and quarter chain are sometimes abbreviated into
the mere word quarter.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS. 209
R.
Rabbet. — In shipbuilding, a groove or channel incised by a
peculiar form of plane along a piece of timber to receive the edge
of a plank. The word is derived from the French raboter, to plane. So
in the making of a wooden ship the rabbet of the keel is a groove along
each side of the keel made to receive the edges of the garboard (or
lowest) strokes (planking). Similar rabbets on the stem and stern
posts receive the ends of the ship's planking. The rabbet must be
distinguished from the rebate (which see).
Race. — Tide race, tide-rip, whorl or overfall. — "A strong rippling
tide or current ; as Portland Race, which is caused by the projection
of the land with the unevenness of the ground over which the tide
flows, and which is one mile and three quarters long, in the direc-
tion east and west. " At Alderney is another important rip. These
currents or overfalls appear to be the result of uneven bottoms and
cross tides. They are somewhat dangerous to small craft. A short
description is given in the " Voyage of the yawl Bob-Boy."
Rack. — 1. A frame of timber containing several sheaves or
fairleads for ropes. In small craft almost any fairlead may be
called a rack. Also a rail for belaying pins.
Back sheaves. — A range of sheaves on a rack.
2. To rack. — To seize two ropes together. Hence : —
To rack a tackle (i.e., the ropes of a tackle). — To seize the two
running ends together so as to prevent them from running out of the
blocks; by which means any object suspended by the tackle is
prevented from falling, even if the fall be let go.
Backing. — The material (spun yarn or whatever may be used in
its place) by which the ropes of a tackle are racked.
3. Back. — The cloud above that which is called the scud.
Raddle. — To interlace.
Raft. — A group of any timbers attached together to form a float.
Baft ports. — Square holes (a.port being a hole in a ship's side) in
the bows or buttocks of timber-carrying vessels to allow of loading
and unloading timber without taking it over the deck. They are
often seen in Scandinavian vessels.
Rag-bolt. — An iron pin With a number of gashes cut on its
shank to keep it from slipping.
Rails. — Narrow planks or bars placed in various parts of a
vessel, as the fiferails, into which belaying pins may be fitted.
(See Fifekail.)
Taffrail. — The rail over the aftermost part of a vessel. (See
Taffrail.)
Bough rails, or rough-tree rails. — The uppermost rails round a
ship ; or any timbers placed temporarily on a vessel's sides, or else-
where. (See diagram under Frame.)
Bails of the dead. — Curved timbers on each side of a ship's stem
supporting the headknees, etc.
Raise. — " Baisc tacks and sheets." — In square rigged ships, an
order given preparatory to bracing the yards round.
P
210
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
Raise a mouse. — To make a mouse or collar on a stay. (See
Mouse. )
liaise the witul. —
To procure money
(a shoreman's ex-
pression).
Rake. — The sea-
man's name for an
inclination or slope :
thus the rake of the
masts ; the rake of
the stem or stern,
etc., will mean the
inclination of any of
these from the per-
pendicular. Sometimes the run of a vessel
is called the rake. As applied to masts,
unless otherwise defined, raking implies a
slant backwards. When they slant forward
they are spoken of as being stayed forward
or having a forward rake.
To rake in old naval warfare was to
fire into the head or stem of another rL-^iL^i^P
vessel.
Rakish (of a ship). — Having a smart appearance. Being a fast
vessel.
Rally. — To haul in rapidly. Spoken of a rope or tackle, as
" Rally in the main sheet ! "
Bam. — A massive projection under water at the bow of a ship
of war. The ship herself is also called a ram.
Ram's head. — An old name for a large main-halyard block.
Ran. — In rope-making a reel of twenty yards. " Yarns coiled
on a spun-yam winch " (Smyth).
Randan. — A system of rowing with a pair of oars and a pair of
sculls. The stroke and
bow hands use the oars,
the one in between them
the sculls. This arrange-
ment is found very con-
venient by Thames
watermen, the Custom
House, the Thames Con-
servancy, etc., and ex-
tends from the locks as
far down as Gravesend. A boat thus built is often called a randan ;
it is a continuation of the style of the old Thames wherries.
Range. — 1. At sea, the length of rope or chain required for
any particular purpose, and coiled up ready for use. Thus, a
sufficient length of chain (and usually a certain allowance over)
drawn out on deck to allow an anchor to run out without
Randan.
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
211
impediment, so that it may get a good hold of the ground, is
the range of the cable.
2. On ship hoard, a large cleat in the waist of a ship is
occasionally called a range.
3. In gunnery, the distance any projectile "will travel from its
gun, within which distance is called "within range." Also any
distance decided for gun practice ; as a "one mile range."
Rap. — Rap- full. — An order given to a helmsman in sailing ;
thus, Keep her rap-full — Do not come too close to the wind, or
" Lift a wrinkle of sail. "
Rasin. — In shipbuilding " a member bolted to the wale and
cut in for the deck carbines." (Winn.)
Rasing iron. — Tool used by caulkers for clearing a vessel's seams.
Ratchet, or ratchet wheel. — Awheel (usually accompanying
a windlass) the rim of which is formed into large teeth and into
which teeth a pawl drops so as to prevent the wheel from running
backwards.
Rate. — The classification of a vessel for certain purposes. Thus
a vessel may be rated A 1 at Lloyd's ; or a yacht may be rated a
10 tonner, or a 20 rater, etc.
Rating (of yachts for racing purposes). — A manner of so measuring
certain areas in yachts that boats of various forms and sizes shall
compete on equal terms. It would be impossible in this place to
enter into details of the various methods which have from time to
time been employed, and to make any use of which, moreover,
requires some knowledge of mathematics. Those, however, who wish
to enter more fully into the subject may be referred to an excellent
little article contributed by Mr. Dixon Kemp to Lloyd's " Seaman's
Almanac," 1896.
Ration. — A certain allowance of food
served out to those on board a ship or elsewhere.
Ratlines (pronounced "ratlins" or "ratt-
lings") rattling down. — The name is possibly
derived from a supposed resemblance to rats'
tails. — Small lines crossing the shrouds of a
ship and forming the steps of ladders. Fixing
these ratlines to the shrouds, which is done by
a simple seizing and clove hitches, is called rat-
tling down the rigging. When they are placed
too closely together they constitute that which
is called, in derision, a lady's ladder."
Reach. — In a river, the distance between
two bends ; that is, in which the stream makes
no decided turn. From this we have
To reach. — To sail on the wind : as from one
point of tacking to another, or with the wind
nearly abeam (but always ahead of the beam).
While reaching, therefore, a vessel makes no
turn about. (See TACK.)
212 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
"Ready about." — An order or command to stand-by (be
ready) to put a vessel about, i.e., round on another tack. (See TACK.)
Rebate (in shipwrighting). — A cutting-in on some timber, so
as to allow another to fit into it. Thus a keel is often rebated where
the floor timbers abut upon it. (See diagrams under FRAME.) The
rebate must be distinguished from the rabbet (which see).
Rechange. — The tackle and gear kept in readiness for emer-
gency on shipboard.
Reckoning. — (See Dead-Keckoning.)
Recovery (in rowing). — The act of taking the oar out of the
water after a stroke, and throwing the arms and body forward in
preparation for another stroke. The recovery is deemed of the
utmost importance in racing : it should be brisk and lively and full
of swing ; not too quick, for that destroys the swing ; not too slow,
for that allows the momentum of the boat to be deadened.
Reef- — 1. (Of rocks.) A low ridge of rocks, usually beneath the
surface of the sea. 2. (Of a mast.) To reef a topmast is to reduce
its length and make a new fid hole. 3. (Of sails.) To reef. — To
reduce the area of sail spread to the wind. Sails attached to yards
(i.e., square sails) are reefed at the head by men going out on the
yards. Gaff sails are reefed at the foot, as are also all staysails, jibs,
etc. The method of reefing the sails of small craft is described
below.
Beef-bands. — Horizontal bands of canvas running across a sail,
and perforated with holes or eyes, at intervals, to receive reef points.
The holes are sometimes prevented from tearing out by having small
brass rings, called thimbles or eyes, fitted tightly into them. With-
out these bands the sail would be liable to rend from the strain on
the points when reefed, though in very small sails the bands are
often dispensed with. (See Sail.)
Beef -cringles. — The eyes or loops in the bolt rope on the leech
of a sail through which the reef-pendants are rove. (See fig. ; also
under CRINGLES.)
Beef-down. — The operation of re.efing, and more particularly of
close reefing, is often called reefng-down, and a vessel sailing close-
reefed is said to be " reefed-down."
Beef earings. — The ropes attached to the cringles on the upper
sides of a square sail, and by which the upper corners of the sail
are secured to the yard preparatory to reefing.
Beef knot. — In reefing a sail, its foot is furled up as high as the reef
points, and these are lashed under it, the same knot being always
used in doing this, from which circumstance it has become known
as the reef knot. (See KNOTS. )
Beef line (in square rig). — A rope acting as an aid to men
who are at the earings.
Beef -pendants. — Short ropes rove through the cringles on the lower
leech of a gaff-sail, and often through a hole in the boom-cleat, and
by which the clew of the sail is secured to the boom (if there be one)
preparatory to reefing.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
213
Heef Cringles
A
Beef points (sometimes called nettles). — Short pieces of rope hung,
one on each side of a sail, from the eyes in the reef bands, and used
to confine the reefed portion of the sail. The simplest method of
keeping these reef points in the sail is to pass a short rope half
through the eye and sew it down. Another method, and one some-
times used, on account of its greater strength, for large sails, is to
have each reef point of two ropes, with a small eye spliced on the
end of each, just large enough to take the end of the other. Each
of these ropes being passed through the eye in the sail, one from
each side, the end is rove through the eye of the other and pulled
tight (see fig.).
Beef tackle. — A purchase
or tackle applied to a reef
earing, or to a reef-pen-
dant (when reefing) for
hauling in the corner of the
sail, which is too large to
be managed by simple hand
power.
Close - reefed. — To be
sailing with all reefs taken
in. (Sea Close -reefed.)
Beefing. — Reefing is a
difficult operation in a
high wind (the only time
it is necessary) ; but it
has so often to be done,
that a few notes on the
subject, as applied to fore-
and-aft rigged craft, may
be found useful. Some-
times, under stress of cir-
cumstances, and especially
if short of hands, it may be
best to drop the sails alto-
gether, one at a time,
take in the necessary reefs,
and then set them again.
But under more favourable
conditions this is hardly
needful, and the process
is usually conducted as
follows : —
To reef the mainsail, and,
in a yawl, the mizzen, the
boat should be put up head
to wind ; after which, the
boom being slightly topped
tip, so as to relieve the s
sail of its weight, the peak Method of Passing Reef-Points.
Mainsail.
"-■"jjf-^ \ ■ Cringles
fa} ?oi*r,
-Retted bortiCK Securing the reefe*
cf the sail, dew of tie Sad.
Mainsail with Two Reefs.
214 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
settled (lowered), and the sheets hauled taut — the first, second, or
third reef cringle (according to the number of reefs to be taken) is
hauled down by its pendant and secured to tbe boom, — or, if there
be no boom, the corner of the sail is tightly bound up by the
pendant, the same thing being done at the tack, or weather edge of
the sail. The foot of the sail is then furled up as far as the
necessary reef-points (beginning from the after end), lashed, and
the sail set up once more.
To reef the foresail. — The boat being put up to the wind, the sheets
are shifted to the (first or second) cringle of the leech, and the tack
pendant passed through the corresponding cringle in the luff, after
which the foot of the sail may be furled and lashed by the reef points,
and the tack made fast.
To reef the jib. — This necessitates that the sail be hauled in, un-
bent, reefed as the foresail, and reset. It is an awkward operation,
and one taking time, for which reason jibs are seldom reefed, but
instead replaced by smaller ones, the sailor being careful to secure
each corner of the second sail as the first one is unbent.
To reef a lugsail. — If it be a balance lug, it is reefed round the
boom to which the foot of the sail is laced : if a dipping or standing
lug, the foot is, of course, furled and tied in the usual way.
Reel. — A machine upon which various bines may be wound, such
as the deep-sea reel, that reel which contains the deep-sea line.
Hand reel, the reel for the hand-bine.
Log reel, the same for the log-line.
A twine reel, " in rope-making, is formed, generally, of four small
oak bars, about eighteen inches in length, one of which is made to
slide, for the convenience of taking off the twine."
Yarn reel. — A reel upon which to wind yam.
Reeve. — 1. Generally speaking, to pass something through a
hole. To reeve a tackle is to pass a rope through its blocks. To
reeve a bowsprit is to draw it inboard (in small craft it runs in
a ring at the stem and between bitts, and may therefore be said,
in a sort of way, to be passed through them) ; and a bowsprit which
can be so passed in and out (as in a cutter) is described as a reev-
ing bowsprit. And since to reeve is to pass something through, to
draw it out again is properly called unrecving.
2. Heeling, with caulkers, is opening the seams of a vessel's sides
with an instrument called the reeving iron, so as to admit oakum.
Reeving beetle. — The largest hammer or mallet used by a caulker.
Refit. — Repair of damages, or an alteration to rigging.
Regatta. — A general meeting together of any sorts of boats for
racing, promenading, or any description of aquatic sports ; it is some-
times called a water frolic. The word is of Venetian origin.
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, at
present in force under the Orders in Council of August 11th, 1884,
December 30th, 1884, June 24th, 1885, August 18th, 1892, and
January 30th, 1893, issued in pursuance of the Merchant Shipping
Act Amendment Act, 1862. These regulations may be obtained at
A DICTIONABY OP SEA TEBMS. 215
the marine store dealers'; by a nile of the Merchant Shipping Act,
1894, " The Board of Trade shall furnish a copy of the collision
regulations to any master or owner of a ship who applies for it " ;
they are given in Lloyd's " Seaman's Almanac " ; and will also be
found more or less fully detailed in most treatises on the art of sail-
ing. The schedule first defines steam and sailing vessels, thus :
"' In the following rules, every steamship which is under sail
and not under steam is to be considered a sailing ship ; and
every steamship which is under steam, whether under sail
or not, is to be considered a ship under steam." Next follow
the "Rules Concerning Lights," which will be found under the
heading Lights. Articles 12 and 13 deal with fog signals (see
under Signals), and the speed of vessels in a fog. Articles 14 to 23
are occupied with steering and sailing rules ; in other words, with
the Rule of the Road at Sea (which see). Articles 24 to 26 refer to
precautions, rules for harbours, special lights for squadrons, etc.
Article 27. — Signals of distress (see under Signals). Later orders
refer to trawlers, steam pilot-vessels, the screening of side lights,
etc. The amateur sailor should undoubtedly become quite familiar
with these regulations.
Reigning winds. — The winds which prevail in any particular
district or locality.
Relieving tackles (at sea). — Temporary tackles for the relief
of others under great strain. They are sometimes attached to the
tiller of a vessel in winch ropes are used for the wheel.
Remberge. — " A long narrow rowing vessel of Avar, formerly
used by the English. Its name is derived from remo and barca, aud
it seems to have been the precursor of the Deal luggers. " (Smyth.)
Render as a sea term has several meanings, as to render a rope
in coiliwf, — so to coil it that it will nin off without hitch or kink.
Hence when a rope runs free it is said to render.
To render a tackle. — To yield or give way to its resistance, to
slacken it off, etc.
Repeat signal. — A signal to some person or ship to repeat
a signal which lias not been properly seen or understood.
Respondentia. — " A loan made upon goods laden in a ship,
for which the borrower is personally responsible ; differing from
bottomry, where the ship and tackle are liable. In bottomry the
lender runs no risk though the goods should be lost, and upon
respondentia the lender must be paid his principal and interest,
though the ship perish, provided the goods are safe." (Smyth.)
Retreenailed. — Spoken of a ship when she has had thorough
repair and new treenails put into her. The term is constantly seen
in "Lloyd's Register."
Revenue cutter. — A cutter rigged vessel, sharp-built and fast,
formerly employed in the prevention of smuggling and enforcing of
Customs regulations. Not a few of these vessels are still left.
Rhodings (in ships). — Bearings on which the axles of pumps work.
216 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Rhumb. — In navigation " the track of a ship which cuts all the
meridians at the same angle. A ship sailing always towards the
same point of the compass, or on the same rhumb, describes a
loxodromic curve. This being the simplest curve, is the route
universally pursued ; but a ship sailing on this curve never looks
direct for her port until it comes in sight." (Brande and Cox.)
If, then, a ship moves in such a direction, her course is on a
rhumb-line, and the distance she makes is her nautical distance.
" And hence," says Smyth, " seamen distinguish the rhumb by the
same names as the points and winds, as marked on the end of the
compass. The rhumb line, therefore, is a line prolonged from any
point of the compass in a nautical chart, except the four cardinal
points ; or it is a line which a ship, keeping in the same collateral
point or rhumb, describes throughout its whole course."
Ribs. — The timbers which form the skeleton of a boat. The
ribs in a ship are like the ribs in the human frame ; they are lateral
appendages to her back- bone or keel, encompassing the trunk and
preserving the cavity of the hull. — Ribs in large vessels are made up
of several pieces called futtocks, head timbers, etc. (see FuTTOCK) ;
but in small boats they may be of one piece bent to the shape required,
and are then known as heads, bent-heads or bent-timbers. {See
diagrams under FRAME. ) When the " timbers" of a vessel are spoken
of without further distinction, the term frequently means her ribs.
Bibs of a parrel. — Small strips of wood which, in combination
with wooden beads (called trucks), formed the yard guides or parrels
of old ships. {See Parrel.) Hence because of the number of parts
of which this parrel was formed the term ribs and trucks has come
to mean " fragments"
Ribands, or ribbons. — Riband.— The moulding round a vessel's
side, or the painted decoration. A sail is said to be torn to ribbons
when it is so damaged by the wind as to be no longer of any use.
Such a thing is by no means so impossible as the term might imply ;
for sails are frequently torn to mere shreds by the force of a gale.
Ribbands (in shipbuilding). — Planks bolted outside the ribs
to give stability to them during the building of the vessel.
Ribband shores. — Shores, or supports, holding up the frame of a
ship while building.
Richer, or grown-spar. — A spar made out of a young tree, in
contradistinction to one hewn out of a plank. Puckers are stronger,
more elastic, and in every way superior to hewn spars. They may
generally be recognized by their knots, which will naturally be small
and round.
Ricochet. — " Denotes a bound or leap, such as a flat piece of
stone makes when thrown obliquely along the surface of the water. "
Generally spoken with reference to projectiles.
Ride. — 1. To lie at anchor.
Ride athwart wind and tide. — A vessel is said to ride thus when,
the wind and tide being in opposite directions with about the same
A DICTIONAKY OP SEA TEEMS. 217
force, she lies in a position which is the result of these opposing
forces, and that, generally, is sideways to both.
Bide a 1 port-last (old term). — Riding with the lower yards on the
gunwales. (See Port-Last.)
Ride easy. — When the vessel does not labour or strain.
Bide hard. — To pitch violently in the sea so as to strain.
Bide out a gale, to live through it without dragging the anchor.
2. "A rope is said to ride when one of the turns by which it is
wound about the capstan or windlass lies over another so as to
interrupt the operation of heaving."
Biding bitts. — Massive frames of wood or iron round which a
cable is turned when a ship lies at anchor, or rides.
Rider. — A sort of interior rib fixed occasionally in a ship's hold,
when she has been enfeebled by service ; though she may be
sometimes built with them for extra strength. They are variously
named as kelson rider, lower futtoek riders, mid-futtock riders, etc.
(See diagrams under Frame.)
Ridge. — A long group of rocks near the surface of the sea.
Rig. — The rig of a vessel is the manner in which her masts and
sails are fitted to her hull. There can be but two rigs, viz., square
and fore-and-aft. The first is that in which the sails are liung
across the vessel, as in ships ; the second, that in which they lie in
the direction of her length, as in cutters, yawls, etc. These two, in
ships, are always more or less combined, but whenever a vessel
carries square sails she is said (with very few exceptions) to be
square rigged. Yet though there are but two rigs, the variety in
each is almost infinite. The following list will give some idea of
those most commonly seen in British waters ; and for the separate
description of each, reference must be made under its own heading.
It must be noted, however, that there are no hard and fast rules
absolutely distinguishing vessels closely allied in the disposition of
their gear, as, for instance, are sometimes the schooner and the
brigantine. The rig of vessels has, moreover, considerably changed
of later years. The tendency of all modern rigging is to do
gradually away with square sails. Thus the barque, which always
carried them on her fore and main masts, is being superseded by the
barkentine, in which they are set only on the foremast ; while in
the three-masted schooner they either disappear altogether or are set
only on the fore topmast, making that which is sometimes called the
jack-ass rig. The old brig has long since given way to the brigantine
of modem type, and is now rarely seen, the majority of the small
two-masted vessels built to-day being rigged schooner fashion.
Kigs of British sea-going vessels: — (1) Four-masted ship* (some-
what rare) ; (2) Full-riggea I ship or modem frigate; (3) Three-masted
* " Sailing vessels built within the last few years are generally of large size when
compared with those built twenty years since. The ' Somali,' a four-masted steel
barque, is 3,537 gross tons and 330 feet long. This is the largest owned in the
United Kingdom. The Germans own a still larger vessel, named 'Potosi.' She is
a five-masted steel barque of 4,027 tons gross and is 366 feet long."— Lloyd's
" Seaman's Almanac," 1897.
218
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
schooner (sometimes called "jack-ass rig"); (4) Bark ; (5) Barken-
tine ; (6) Brig; (7) Brlgantine ; (8) Schooner (commonly called
topsail schooner) ; (9) Ketch (a fore-and-aft rig, carrying square sail
for running) ; (10) Topsail barge ; (11) Biver barge (carries no top-
sail) ; (12) One, Two, or Three-masted lugger; (13) Schooner yacht
(occasionally carries a square fore-top-sail) ; (14) Yawl (a rig well
adapted to cruising yachts) ; (15) Cutter (favourite rig for racing
yachts) ; (16) Sloop (often seen on the Norfolk rivers) ; (17) Bermuda
rig (rare). Fishing smacks and hoats are of various rigs : yawl,
cutter, or lugger.
The following are the usual rigs of hoats : Main and mizzen
(both masts having lug sails) ; una rig ; cat rig ; leg of mutton
sail ; sprit and foresail ;
dipping lug ; balance lug
(with boom) ; standing lug
(without boom) ; Clyde lug
(very high) ; sliding gunter ;
canoe rig (battened sails) ;
main and foresail (a rig for
small raters).
IN-RIG and OUT-RIG.
— Anything which does not
extend beyond the side of
a boat is said to be in-
rigged, and in like manner
anything projecting may be
called out-rigged. Thus a
rowing skiff in which the
rowlocks are on the side of
the boat itself is in-rigged,
while a racing-shell, in
which they are extended
far out on iron brackets
(out-riggers), may be called
out-rigged. So also if the
shrouds of a sailing boat
are extended beyond the
sides they are out-rigged ;
and a mizzen set so far
astern that it must be
worked by a bumpkin is
out - rigged. (See also
under lN-EIG and Oux-
EIG.)
Rigging.— The system
of cordage in a vessel by
which masts are supported
and sails extended and
worked. There must be two
sorts of rigging, therefore,
u^^^mmmmm
IN-EIGGED.
NO. 1.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
219
viz., stationary and movable: the first is called standing rigging,
and the other running rigging.
The standing rigging consists of shrouds, stays, and all such ropes
or chains as hold spars in their places.
The running rigging comprises halyards, sheets, clew-lines, and
tacks, and all moving ropes connected with the sails, flags, etc.
The lower rigging implies that of the lower masts, the upper or
topmast rigging that of the topmasts ; and these terms apply no
matter what the rig of the vessel may be.
No. 2.
No. 3.
The accompanying diagrams show the rigging of a small cutter
yacht. No. 1 is the standing rigging ; Nos. 2 and 3 show the run-
ning rigging, the first being devoted to the halyards, the second
and third to the sheets. The various parts are as follow :
Standing Rigging.
Running Rigging.
No. l.
No. 2.
NO. 3.
Halyards.
Sheets.
1.
The shrouds, termin-
1.
Main or throat hal-
1. Main sheet.
ating in the dead-
yard.
2. Foresail „
eyes.
2.
Peak halyard.
3. Jib
2.
Forestay.
These two are often
4. Jib topsail ,,
3.
Backstays.
included together
5. Topsail ,,
4.
Topmast shrouds, ter-
under the name
6. Maintack-trice;
minating in the legs.
main halyards.
7. Maintack line.
5.
Topmast forestay.
3.
Topping lift.
8. Topsail tack line.
0.
Topmast backstay,
4.
Foresail halyards.
often called ihe Pre-
5.
Jib „ „
venter.
6.
Topsail „ „
7.
Bobstay.
7.
Jib-topsail „
8.
Bobstay trice, for
8.
Signal „ „
drawing up the bob-
9.
Flag halyards, or
stay while at anchor.
10.
U.
peaklines.
Jib inhaul.
,, outhaul.
220 A DICTION AEY OF SEA TEEMS.
Rigging out is fitting out or " dressing "a boat when she leaves the
builder to be prepared for sea. The term is also used with respect
to the fitting of her out for a cruise, or for a season after laying up,
and consists in replacing in her all the rigging of which she had
been denuded. Yachts are often laid up for a term, or during the
winter, when all the rigging is taken down and the hull and mast are
left naked ; and in the spring they are rigged out again. The term
rigging is practically equivalent to " dressing," and, indeed, has its
origin in the Anglo-Saxon wrigan, to dress.
Rigging loft (in dockyards). — A loft in which rigging is stored for
sale or prepared for ships.
Right. — To right a ship. — To get her back to the perpendicular
when she has careened too much over, by putting her head into the
wind. When she comes again to the upright she is said to have
righted herself ; and a vessel which rights herself without difficulty
is said to possess righting power, or, to use the more common phrase,
to be stiff.
To right the helm. — To place the tiller of a rudder in a right line
with the nose of the vessel so that the rudder ceases to act.
Right away. — An expression which, when used at sea, may imply
"in a certain direction " ; as Avhen another ship may be sighted
" right away on the port bow," etc.
Right-handed rope. — Rope with the strands twisted " with the
sun " — i.e., in the most usual manner.
Right knot.— Another name for the reef knot. (See KNOTS.)
Right on end. — In a continuous line; as a topmast on the lower-
mast when elevated.
Right up and down. — Said of the wind when it is a dead calm.
Rim. — The edge or skirting of anything.
Rind gall.—" The injury a tree receives when young, so that
the bark or rind grows into the inner substance of the tree. "
Ring (of an anchor). — The ring at the lower end
of the shaft. (See Anchob.)
Ring-bolt. — A bolt with a ring at its head. It is
usually passed through one of the strong timbers of
a vessel for the attachment of a tackle or rope.
Ring-ropes. — Ropes which were sometimes made fast
at intervals to hempen cables so as to give them greater Kl! ^ G bolts
power in holding the ship against heavy seas. Hence
a rope used in the same manner on any hawser may be called a
ring rope.
Ring-sail. — Apparently the same as the ring-tail (which see).
Ring-tail. — Sometimes called the studsail or " studs'l " (evi-
dently a further abbreviation of " stuns'l, " itself an abbreviation of
the name studding sail). — A sort of studding sail for fore-and-aft
rigged craft. It is a narrow strip of sail set out beyond the leech of
the mainsail of a cutter, or any similarly rigged boat. Its head is
stretched on a small yard on the gaff, and its foot on another small
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
221
spar called the ring-tail boom (on the main
boom), both of which rig in and out as do
the booms of the studding sails on square
rigged ships. This sail is seldom seen except
on racing yachts, when running before the
wind ; and then not often.
Kip.— Tide rip. (See Race.)
Ripping-iron. — An instrument used to
rip the copper off the bottom of a vessel.
Rising. — Rising floors. — In shipbuilding ,
the floor timbers which, gradually rising
from the plane of the midship floor of a
ship, give the shape to the lower parts of
the bow and stem.
Rising line. — In shipbuilding, a line drawn
on the sheer plan to determine the height
of the ends of all the floor timbers throughout the length of a vessel.
Rising wood. — In shipbuilding, that portion of the keel which
rises through the floors.
Rivers.— Rivers, as sailing-grounds, have certain advantages, to
amateurs, over the open sea. Boats are more easily got at than on
the coast ; there is less wear and tear, and more days on which
one may go out. At the same time winds are more variable,
sailing is in some of its branches more difficult, as well as more
dangerous.
River police. — (See Metropolitan Police.)
Rivet.— A metal pin clenched at both ends (often while hot).
Roach, or roaching (in square
rig). — The curve in the foot or leech
of a square sail. It is so cut to keep
it from the futtock plates and ropes
about the mast (see fig. )
Roadstead, or road. — A place of
anchorage at a distance from the shore. Thus we have the Yar-
mouth Roads, the Margate Roads, and others.
A good road is one well protected from gales, etc.
An open road is one open or unprotected.
Roadster, or roader. — A vessel lying in a road.
Roarer. — A name sometimes given to a vessel which 'makes a
loud roaring noise as she moves through the water. This is the
case with some yachts, and is generally to be traced^ to some
peculiarity of formation about the bows.
Roast-beef dress.— Full uniform.
Robins (i.e., rope-bands). — Part of the gear of a square sail.
Small ropes, used in pairs, one leg of each pair being longer than
the other, to attach the head of the sail to its yard. The long leg
of each is taken two or three times round the yard and^then lashed
to the short leg.
222
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
Roundrobiti. — A method
of petitioning, (See under
Round.)
Rockered. — Rounded,
as the keels of some hoats
are rounded, when they
are called rockered or drag
keels. It is mostly seen
in small boats or racing
yachts (see fig.).
Rocket. — Rockets are
used at sea, by night, as
signals ; and if the weather
be foggy, they are re-
placed by guns. A rocket
sent up alone, every few
minutes, is a signal of
distress.
Rockered, ok Drag Keel.
Rocket apparatus. — Instructions issued by the Board of Trade
for the guidance of masters and seamen, when using the rocket
apparatus for saving life, may be obtained by any person at any
mercantile marine office.
Roger. — The pirate's flag ; more commonly known as the Jolly
Roger. It is black, charged with a white skull and cross-bones.
Roger's blast (at sea). — A. sudden disturbance of the atmosphere,
resembling a small whirlwind.
Rogue's yarn. — In rope manufactured for the Royal services,
it is the practice to interweave one yam of a colour different from the
rest. This is called the rogue's yam, because it can be identified if
stolen. And, moreover, since each dockyard may have its distin-
guishing colour, a rope may be traced back to the place at which it
was made, which is a wholesome check upon defective manufacture.
Roll, rolling. — The oscillation of a vessel in a heavy sea. The
result of heavy rolling may sometimes be to throw sails over to wind-
ward and back. In square rigged vessels this would be especially
the case were not ropes attached to the sails to prevent it ; these
ropes and their blocks constitute what is called rolling tackle.
Rollers. — 1. Heavy seas (waves) setting in without wind ; sometimes
of enormous size and length, as may often be seen on the Cornish
coast or along the shores of the Bay of Biscay. 2. On shipboard,
revolving timbers placed where constant friction of ropes occurs.
Room. — Room and space. — In shipbuilding a purely teclmical
term referring to the space supported by each rib of a vessel.
Rooming (old term). — " To leeward " (which see).
To go rooming. — To bear down upon anything.
Roost. — " A phrase applied to races of strong and furious tides
which set in between the Orkney and Shetland Islands ; as those of
Sun burgh and the Start."
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 223
Rope. — Generally speaking, cordage above one inch in circumfer-
ence. A rope, technically, is a twist of a certain number of strands
of hempen fibre ; a strand being a number of yarns, and a yarn a
certain proportion of twisted fibres. Three strands form a rope ;
though four-stranded manilla is now largely used on yachts.
Rope is of several kinds.
Italian hemp is the best, and when worn out is always saleable.
Manilla (from the fibres of a species of wild banana), being of a
softer nature, is very suitable to yachts, but it is expensive, and to
take its place, fash rope, an inferior kind of manilla, is often used.
Coir rope is made of the fibrous husk of cocoanut.
Bass warp is very light with strands interwoven.
Rope is either hawser (sometimes called shroud) laid — when it is
made up of three or four strands ; or cable (cablet or water) laid —
when it has three great strands, each being made up of three small
ones, twisted left-handed.
The size of rope is designated by its circumference expressed in
inches ; as a " 9in. rope," which is one 9in. round. It is issued in
coils ; sold by the lb. weight ; and its length measured in fathoms.
2
Its strength in ,tons dead weight = circum 5 ference about. Its weight
2
in lbs. per fatliom = circnm 4 ference about. " Rope is either white or
tarred, the latter being the best if liable to exposure to wet, the
former if not exposed. The strength of tarred ropo is, however,
only about three-fourths that of white rope, and its loss of strength
increases with time."
In rigging, the standing part of a rope is the part fixed ; the
running part, that part which is hauled upon.
A bight is a bend in a rope whether in making a knot or for any
other purpose. Rope when wet swells in diameter and shrinks in
length ; this should be allowed for when tightening up dry ropes which
are to be left standing for any length of time, or even for one night.
New rope is stiff. This may be taken off to some extent by steeping in
boiling water and stretching while hot. When a rope gets partly
worn through it is said to fret; when its end becomes loose it
frays.
Mope bands.— (See Robins.)
Rope end. — A punishment. The infliction of a whipping with a
short rope.
Rope of sand. — A thing without cohesion. A people who cannot
combine, but who at critical moments separate and thus lose their
object ; the principal failing of many communities of seamen, more
especially, perhaps, of coast men. " A term borrowed from a Greek
proverb signifying attempting impossibilities.''
Rope yarn. — The smallest component part of a rope. (See above.)
It also means the untwisted yarn of old rope (junk), for which
there are a multitude of uses on ship-board.
On the high ropes. — Ceremonious, puffed up, proud, etc.
224 A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEBMS.
Rose lashings. — Fanciful or decorated lashings with rope.
Rough. — Unfinished. Hence : — Rough knots (properly " rough
nauts," abbreviated from " nauticals"), unsophisticated seamen.
Bough spars. — Those in an unfinished condition.
Bough tree, or rough tree timbers. — The stanchions supporting the
rough tree rail, also the tree out of which a spar is to be made.
Bough-tree rail. — The topmost rail round a vessel's bulwarks.
Also, an old term used on trading ships for almost any long piece
of timber placed as a rail above the ship's side.
Round. — To round in — to haul in. " To round in generally
implies to pull upon any slack rope which passes through one or
more blocks in a direction nearly horizontal," and is particularly
applied to the braces. It is apparently derived from the circular
motion of the rope about the sheave through which it passes.
" To round up is used in nearly the same sense, only it is expressed
of a tackle which hangs in a perpendicular direction without sus-
taining or hoisting any weighty body." (Falconer.)
To round to. — To bring a vessel " head to wind."
Bound turn. — The passing of a rope once round a timber or post
so as to be able to suddenly stop some motion, or temporarily
hold on.
Bound house. — Apparently so called because it was possible to
walk round it. On old ships it was a square cabin on the after part
of the deck, and in men-of-war was sometimes called the " coach."
Later, it was built abaft the main mast. To-day it is not so
often seen.
Bound robin. — " A compact or agreement entered into by seamen,
when they have cause of complaint against their superior officer,
to state their grievances to the Admiralty or commander-in-chief,
and to endeavour to obtain redress without subjecting any one
individual more than another to be thought the leader or chief
mover. The term appears to be a corruption of ruban rond, as
their complaints are generally stated in a circular form, and the
signatures written all round them, so that none appear first. "
Bound dozen. — Thirteen. In old days a round dozen meant
thirteen lashes with the cat.
Bound ribbed. — Spoken of the shape of a vessel when her sides
are very much curved.
Bounding a rope. — Serving it. Much the same as heckling
(which see.)
Boundly. — Quickly.
Bounds or rungs. — The cross pieces forming the steps of a wooden
ladder. At sea the rounds forming the steps up the shrouds of a
vessel are called the ratlines, or rattlings.
Roust. — [See RoosT.)
Rovens. — 1. A pronunciation of the word robins (more
properly rope-bands). 2. Ra veilings of canvas or bunting.
Row. — Bowing. — The propulsion of a boat by oars, not by sculls,
that being, in the language of boating men, called sculling.
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TEEMS.
225
The art of rowing is not easily learned. The best schools are the
universities, but the various rowing clubs of the Thames also
produce very perfect oarsmen. Those who would know more of the
subject may be referred to the treatise on rowing in the Badminton
series.
Row dry. — To row without splashing ; just as to row wet is to
splash a good deal.
" Row off all ! " — The order to rowers to cease rowing, and lay
upon their oars ; but the term " easy all " is much of tener em-
ployed.
Row in the same boat. — Equivalent to riding in the same curricle
with another person ; that is, being in the same situation or holding
the same views.
Rowbowline. — (See Rumbowline.)
Howl. — A single block or pulley. " The iron or wood shiver
or wheel for a whip tackle."
Rowlock (pronounced "rullock").— -The rowlock, as the name
implies, is a lock or holding portion for growing machine, i.e., an
oar ; it is, in fact, the fulcrum from
which an oar obtains its leverage.
There are fixed rowlocks, some-
times called tholes (but not cor-
rectly, because tholes, properly
speaking, are pins), and swivel-row-
locks, which revolve upon pivots,
turning in holes made to receive
them in the gunwale of a boat.
The swivel-rowlocks have certain
advantages over the fixed in that
a longer stroke may be taken by
their use, and that sculls or oars
may be brought alongside a boat
instead of lifted out or shipped
when passing very close to any
object. They are nearly always
found in boats with a gunwale,
but in such skiffs as those built
on the Upper Thames, the absence
of a gunwale necessitates an ar-
rangement of fixed rowlocks, in
consequence of which the oars and
sculls made for use on these waters
are nearly always square in the
loom.. There can be no doubt
that the fixed rowlock is more
elegant than the swivel, and to
up-river men the sound of the
measured rattle as the square oars
fall to the feather is very musical. Various Forms of Rowlocks.
Q
226
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
For rough rowing, however, use has to give way to appearance, and
the swivel is undeniably the more useful. Sailing boats have often
ihe rowlocks cut out of the gunwale's strake, so that they may be
out of the way of all sails, sheets, etc. ; and to preserve the height
of the freeboard a slide Ls usually fitted over them, when under sail.
(See also Tholes.)
Rowse. — To pull on a rope without tackle.
"Bowse away /" " Rowse away cheerily !" etc., are encouraging
exhortations on the part of an officer to men hauling on a rope.
Royal. — Royal mast. — The mast in a ship, bark, brig, etc.,
above the top-gallant, and named according to the lower mast upon
which it rises, as fore-royal, main-royal, etc. The royal mast is
the highest ordinary mast in a ship, and carries the royal sail and
sky sail.
Royal sail. — The sail on the royal mast, and named accordingly —
as main-royal, etc.
Royal yard. — The yard which carries the royal sail. It comes
down to the top-gallant yard when the sails are furled.
Rubber.—" In sail-making a small iron implement fixed in a
wooden handle and used to nib down or flatten the seams of the
sails. "
Rubbing piece, or wale. — A beading of wood or rope
running round the outside of a boat just beneath the gunwale to
protect it against injury in touching quays, piers, or other boats.
(See Wale.)
Ruck. — A measure of string.
Rucking. — Easing down a gaff sail lapidly, by lowering on the
peak and throat halyards. It may be necessary in case of a sudden
gust or to run before a squall.
Rudder (Anglo-Saxon, steor-roper) . — That instrument by which
a vessel is steered. Tiphys is said to have been its inventor.
The rudder is hung upon the stern post of a vessel by means of
gudgeons and pintles, otherwise called rudder bands or braces.
Its parts are as follow : — A is the head over which the tiller
(B) fits ; or into which it is
inserted as at C ; or the tiller q
may take the form of a yoke / — 71
as at D. E is the stock or q f ^
neck, F is the pintle or brace, p^ I
and G the gudgeon, or rudder
band; these last two (the
gudgeon and the pintle) con-
stituting what are sometimes
called the rudder irons, or
forelocks. The rudder rake
is the shape of the aftermost
part. The bearding is the
fore-part
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS.
227
Barge Rudders (Wide).
In vessels of great draught the rudder is narrow — that is, extends
but a little way from the stern post ; in those of small draught
it is proportionately wider (or extends further out), until, in
flat bottomed vessels,
such as barges, it is
very wide. "When
carried to a consider-
able breadth, as in
the Chinese vessels, it
is pierced ^ith holes,
which preserves an in-
creased leverage with
a diminished direct
resistance from the
water. " (Brande and
Cox.) This principle
of boring holes in the rudder has occasionally been followed in certain
English craft ; but it is unusual. With respect to small sailing
boats we find that rudders are larger and deeper on smooth waters
than on the coast, for river craft cany a great spread of canvas,
which lays them over to a very considerable extent ; and were the
rudder narrow or wanting in depth
it would be brought so much out
of the water that its command
over the boat would be gone. So
also in the case of very long row
boats, such as the Thames skiffs,
as well as in racing boats, the
rudder is increased in width, both
on account of the boats' length
and the speed with which they are
intended to travel.
The rudder is worked by means
of the tiller. The tiller is a handle
or bar at the head of the rudder.
It is one of the component parts
of the helm. {See Helm.) In
small craft it is moved by hand ;
in large, by a wheel ; while in
long row boats, where the steers-
man sits too far amidships to be
able to give it the necessary sweep,
it is worked by ropes, called rudder
lines, or yoke lines ; and in this case
it ceases to be a bar, and becomes,
as above mentioned, a flat plate,
called the yoke. The lines are sometimes crossed, enabling the
rudder to be pulled over to a greater angle, which, in a long racing
boat, gives the steersman an increased command over his boat's
Q 2
228 A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
movement. In certain small craft, having two masts, the mizzen
stands before the rudder head and impedes the sweep of the tiller.
It then becomes necessary to devise some means by which the tiller
may be brought over without interference. The accompanying
diagrams will best illustrate the means usually employed. In the
lirst, the distance from the rudder head to the steersman is short,
and the tiller is simply bent as shown. In the second, however,
the distance is very long, and a double yoke is used, — the first on
the rudder itself, the second (to which a small false tiller is fitted)
being placed before the impeding mast.
Rudder chains and pendants. — Chains shackled to the rudder for
preventing its loss in case of being carried away in a heavy sea.
The chains terminate in short ropes, called the pendants, which are
made fast to the stern of the vessel. We sometimes find these in
barges. In vessels steered by a wheel, the chains by which the
wheel works the tiller are also called rudder-chains or tiller chains.
Rudder case, or rudder trunk. — A casing of wood fitted round the
helmport — i.e., the hole through which the stock of the rudder
passes when the boat has a counter.
Rudder chocks (at sea). — Wedges used in emergency to fix the
rudder should it become unmanageable.
Rudder house. — The wheelhouse on a ship. (See under Deck.)
Rule of the road (at sea). — The popular name for the Inter-
national Steering and Sailing Rules included under Articles 14
to 23 of the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. They
are as follow :
Art. 14. — When two sailing ships are approaching one another, so
as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the
way of the other as follows, viz. — (a) A ship which is running free
shall keep out of the way of a ship which is close-hauled. (6) A ship
which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of
a ship which is close-hauled on the starboard tack, (c) When both
are running free with the wind on different sides, the ship which has
the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.
(d) When both are running free with the wind on the same side, the
ship which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the ship
which is to leeward, (e) A ship which has the wind aft shall keep
out of the way of the other ship.
Art. 15, which applies only to cases where ships are meeting end
on, or nearly so. if two ships under steam are meeting end on, or
nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter
her course to starboard, so that each may pass on the port side of
the other.
Art. 16. — If two ships under steam are crossing, so as to involve
risk of collision, the ship which has the other on her own starboard
side shall keep out of the way of the other.
Art. 17. — If two ships, one of which is a sailing ship, are proceed-
ing in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the steam-ship
shall keep out of the way of the sailing ship.
A DICTIONAEY OF SEA TERMS. 229
Art. 18. — Every steam-ship, when approaching another ship, so as
to involve risk of collision, shall slacken her speed or stop and
reverse, if necessaiy.
Art. 19, to be used only when a steam-ship has another in sight,
and never in fog, " recent cases showing the great imprudence and
danger of altering the course of a vessel to avoid another vessel
which is not in sight, and whose position it is impossible correctly to
determine." — In taking any course authorised or required by these
regulations, a steam-ship under way may indicate that course to
any other ship which she has in sight by the following signals on
her steam whistle : — One short blast to mean " I am directing my
course to starboard." Two short blasts to mean " I am directing my
course to port." Three short blasts to mean " I am going full speed
astern." {Four or more blasts mean that the ship cannot give way.)
Art. 20. — Notwithstanding anything contained in any preceding
article, every ship, whether a sailing ship or a steam -ship, over-
taking any other, shall keep out of the way of the overtaken ship.
Art. 21. — In narrow channels every steam-ship shall, when it is
safe and practicable, keep to that side of the fair-way or mid-
channel which lies on the starboard side of such ship.
Art. 22. — Where, by the above rules, one of the two ships is to
keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course.
Art. 23. — In obeying and construing these rules, due regard
shall be had to all dangers of navigation, and to any special
circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules
necessaiy in order to avoid immediate danger.
These rules, then, resolve themselves into two orders : 1. Those for
sailing vessels ; 2. Those for steam-ships. And since, in the case of
the latter, it has been found useful to boil them down, as it were,
into a set of doggerel rhymes, as " aids to the memory," the same
may also be done with the former. The following are the four verses
applying to steam-ships, by the late Thomas Gray, C.B. :
" When both side lights you see ahead —
Port your helm, and show your Red.
Green to Green — or Red to Red —
Perfect safety — go ahead !
If to your starboard Red appear,
It is your duty to keep clear ;
To act as judgment says is proper ;
To Port — or Starboard — Back — or, Stop her !
But when upon your Port is seen
A Steamer's Starboard Light of Green
There's not so much for you to do,
For Green to Port keeps clear of you.
Both in safety and in doubt,
Always keep a good look-out ;
In danger, with no room to turn,
Ease her ! Stop her I Go astern ! "
230 A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS.
So far as the sailing rules are concerned, and particularly with
reference to amateur boat-sailing and yachting, the following verses
may be found useful {Art. 14, above) :
(a) Am I sailing free and fair ?
Of craft close-hauled I must beware.
(b) Am I close-hauled on the Port ?
To Starboard tack give way I ought.
(c) Two trim built vessels sailing free
With wind on different sides I see ;
She with the wind a port gives way,
Because it is the rule of day.
(d) On the same tack if two run near,
She to the windward must keep clear ;
(e) And he who has the wind abaft
Must give the way to other craft.
Runibo. — Rope stolen from a dockyard.
Rumbowline. — Condemned canvas, rope, etc. Also the coarse
rope which secures new coils of rope.
Bum gagger. — One who gags (tells improbable stories) in the
hopes of getting rum for his trouble.
Rum-turn race. — A race among Thames rowing men in boats
supplied to them by the clubs to which they belong. But few
of the watermen are able to afford best boats ; but by this method
almost all can now enter for professional races. The boats
thus supplied are not first-class racers, but are fitted with sliding
seats and are full out-rigged. The practice of rum-tum racing has
only been instituted within the last few years.
Run (in naval architecture). — The run of a vessel, occasionally
called the rake, is the angle its
under surface makes in running — 3»
from beneath the greatest width of \. **>^l
beam up to the counter : or, in ^ '
other words, it is the backward
sweep of the under part of the hull. Much of the speed of a
boat depends upon the run given her in designing.
To run, in sailing, or run before the wind, is to be sailing with
the wind aft, or very nearly so. In centreboard boats the board is
triced up when running before the wind. This is the time to be
careful of gybing (which see).
To run down another vessel is to run into her.
To run out a warp or cable is to carry the end out away from
a ship.
To run the gauntlet. — A species of punishment. (See Gauntlet. )
To let run a rope, is to let it run quite loose.
In the rigging of a vessel : —
Runners. — The back stays of a mast, which, being fastened to
pendants, or short ropes, are movable, and can, therefore, be let run.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 231
Running part. — 1. (Of a rope). — The end which is not fastened.
2. (Of a tackle).— The part which runs in the blocks. (See Tackle.)
Running rigging. — (See under RIGGING.)
Runner tackle. — A tackle applied to the running end of a rope
or tackle.
Rung. — The step of a ladder.
Rung-heads. — In ship-building, a name occasionally given to the
flow-heads of a vessel. (See under FLOOR.)
Runners. — (See under Run.)
Rut (of the sea). — The breaking waves along the coast.
S.
Saccade. — " The sudden jerk of the sails in light winds, and a
heavy swell . " ( S myth . )
Sack of coals. — " The seaman's name for the black Magellanic
clouds, or patches of deep blue sky in the Milky Way near the
South Pole." (Smyth.)
Saddle. — A rest for any spar, etc. A bracket or ring on the
lower part of a mast, acting as a rest, or " saddle," for the jaws of a
boom. (See Boom- Stays.)
Sag, sagging. — A dropping or depression ; and therefore, in a
keel, the opposite to " hogging" (which see).
To sag to leeward is to make considerable lee-way.
The sag of a rope. — Its bellying or drop, when extended.
Sail. — The following refers to the sails of a full-rigged ship.
" Sails take their names from the mast, yard or stay upon which
they are stretched. Thus the principal sail extended upon the
mam mast is called the main sail; the next above, which stands
upon the main top-mast, is the main top-sail; above which is the
main top-gallant-sail; and above all, the main royal. In like
manner, there are the foresail, the fore top-sail, the /ore top-gallant-
sail, and the fore royal, although the square foresail is very rarely
used, from the circumstance that it would take the wind out of all
the jibs ; and similar appellations are given to the sails supported by
the mizzen or after-mast. The main stay-sail, main-top- mast stay-
sail, etc., are between the main and fore masts ; and the mizzen
stay-sail, mizzen top-mast stay-sail, etc., are between the main and
mizzen masts. These are, however, employed only in dead calms
and under exceptional circumstances. Between the foremast and
bowsprit are the fore stay-sail (commonly called the fore-sail), the
jib, and sometimes & flying jib and middle jib ; and the studding sails
are those which are extended upon booms run out beyond the arms
of the different yards of the main mast and fore mast." (Brande and
Cox.) To the square sails on each mast may be added one or more,
above all the rest, called respectively the sky sail, moon-raker, and
jumper, or jolly jumper (but the two last are very rarely seen) ; and
below the lower studding sails occasionally, another called the water
232 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
sail or save all. Such canvas is commonly called, by seamen, kites,
and the setting of them in a light breeze is called flying kites, from
which we have an expression often used in general conversation, aa
when a man makes a great deal of show with paper money, he is
said to be flying kites. But the tendency of all modern rigging is
to do away with square sails in favour of those set fore-and-aft,
which are found to be handier. (See under RlG.)
A square sail is one bent to a yard and balanced across the ship.
Fore-and-aft sails are those set in the direction of the length of
a vessel.
Stay-sails are triangular (or jib-shaped) sails running on stays
between masts or from a mast to a bowsprit. They belong to
square rig.
Studding-sails (used only in square rig) are bent to short booms
run out beyond the yards, to increase the lateral spread of the
square sails.
A gaff-sail is one bent to a gaff. (See Gaff.)
A lug-sail is bent to a yard which is slung in a fore-and-aft
direction. It is common to the open boat, and is of various forms.
(See Lug.)
A sprit-sail is one extended by a sprit, which is a spar passing
diagonally across it. (See SPRIT.)
A spinnaker is a racing sail for yachts, run out at right angles to
the mast on the side opposite to that over which the main-sail
stands; only used when running dead before a wind. (See SPIN-
NAKER.)
A leg of mutton sail (in fore-and-aft rig) is a triangular sail,
its foot extended on a boom and its apex attached to the head of a
pole-mast : it is supposed to resemble a leg of mutton in shape. It
is a sail well suited to small boats. (See Mudian.)
A lateen sail is one extended on a yard of great length, which is
made fast to the bow of the boat, and runs high into the air. It
is common to the Mediterranean and Eastern seas, and was at one
time much used in Norfolk and Suffolk. (See Lateen.)
Headsails are those at the head of a vessel, as the fore-sail and
jib in a cutter.
Storm sails are smaller and of stouter canvas than those in
general use, and are often, even in small yachts, tanned. They
are used in bad weather, in winter, or for rough work.
Trysails are small sails answering to storm sails. But when the
trysail is spoken of it means a gaff sail without a boom. (See
Trysail.)
Flying sails are small head sails set out beyond those in every-
day use, such as flying jibs, jib topsail, etc., in yachts; and the
"flying jibs " in square rig.
A sail set flying (spoken mostly of headsails, jibs, etc.) is one
stretched by its halyards alone, i.e., a sail not running on any
stay. When it does run on a stay it is said to be set standing.
(See Set.)
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS.
233
Battened sails are those on which battens (splines of wood) are
fitted, both to keep them flat, as well, in some cases, as to assist
in reefing. They are usually restricted to small craft. (See under
Batten.)
Balloon sails, used in yacht racing, are immense spreads of canvas,
generally in the form of foresails and spinnakers. The complete
racing equipment of a racing yacht constitutes that which is called
her balloon, or press canvas (which see).
A sail is said to be bent to its yard or mast. To make sail is
to set sail. To spring a sail is also to set it. To shorten sail is to
take in some sail, or to reef it. To loose sail is to spread or to
hang out in their places sails that have been furled, either prepara-
tory to setting them, or to air them. To strike a sail is to lower
its yard or gaff in token of salute. To reef a sail is to tie up part
of it so that it may present a smaller area. (See Reef.) To furl
a sail is to fold it entirely up on its yard or boom.
" Sail-cloth is made in bolts, mostly 24in. wide, but also 18in.
wide, and, for yachting purposes, frequently still less wide, upon the
ground that the narrower the cloth the flatter and better will the
sail stand to its work. . .
As a rule, 4 yards in ^--^PeaK
length may be considered p^>^w \
as the average content of "% V^^jlr ' \
each bolt. Itisgenerally % <i^^JK • ', '. A r . rr „...
made of eight different &i •' • • ', '\ U A * * bA . ' L
qualities in respect of *.?**^'- \Vt-rtei(*tt)n,/,t
thickness. Nos. 1, 2, V" ; *-*<»Tj # ' * \\C
and 3 are used for storm y- ! , **»*» «* % * .V fn
and other sails that have [°: . '* • \- .\'-3f -\ °
to do heavy work; the t a , \ ', \J\ 'A^
remaining numbers for \ . '••?' \
the lighter descriptions of {£ Fl'sXtyEJCtitfl?!^!* A. V",
sails." ("Encyclopaedia oL''-.-..... :.. ...... A <W
Britannica.") Aclothis ^'°. \-\ K '\A-j\--A-h^' Cringle
one of the strips of canvas \ ' ' v/ ' J* ' "vM • 1/
of which the sail is made ; g \ *■ y - -*?■*■'•-?* -."> ■ : «- : ..r&..
and the cloths are said to JJL— _".' ,;,;„'., : ,",,"-"--", ,"„" "
be pricked together, the 'f^' FOOT \*mt&*ii)*f*^
instrument used in sew- ^
ing up the seams being
called a pricker. The Gaff Sail.
several parts of a sail
are as follow : — From the fact that sail cloth is made in bolts, we
have the name bolt ropes, for ropes fastened all round a sail to
strengthen its edges. At the head and foot these ropes are called
the head-rope and foot-rope respectively ; on the leeches, or sides,
the leech ropes. The bunt or belly is the main surface of the sail .
(See BUNT.) The head is the upper margin. The fwt the lower
margin. The leeches are the sides in general ; but the weather side
234
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS.
HEATl
(that nearest the mast, in fore-and-aft rig) is called the luff, and
the lee side the after leech; and when, as in yachts, the leech
alone is spoken of, it always means the after edge. (See Leech.)
The clews are the lower corners : on a gaff- sail (as the mainsail of
a yacht) the clew is the aftermost lower corner ; the tack being the
foremost lower corner. (See Tack.) The peak of a gaff-sail or
sprit- sail is the aftermost
upper corner. The throat
of a gaff-sail is the for-
ward upper corner. Reef
bands are extra bands of
canvas running horizon-
tally across a sail. In
these bands, holes are
pierced and small eyes
inserted, through which
the reef points are rove.
(See Reef.) A balance
reef is a reef band run- j- ac "£5
ning diagonally across a
gaff -sail, so that the sail
may be reefed in such a 5l Jif T s H 5TAy *j^
man ner as to spread only s 9 A R t
the peak and upper por- TAC K
tion. It is seldom seen
in small craft. Beef
points are short ropes
hanging from the holes
in the reef- bands. They
are used to tie up the
foot of the sail, which Sails.
constitutes what is called
"reefing " it. (See Reef.) Reef cringles are loops or eyes in the
bolt ropes on the leech of a sail. Through these cringles short ropes
called reef pendants are rove, so that the corner of sails may be
drawn down and tied preparatory to reefing. (See Reef.) Tabs
are strengthening pieces hemmed into the edge of a large sail where
bolt hooks are employed. Roaching is the name given to the curve
in the t foot or sides of a sail ; the side curve being called the leech-
roach. ' This term is mostly applied to square sails. (See Roach. )
Other terms relating to sails are : —
Sail burton. — A purchase for sending up sails to a masthead
ready for bending.
Sail cover (sometimes called a sail coat). — A waterproof covering
for a sail which is too large to be unbent and stowed away every
time a boat is brought home from an outing. It is important to
remember that a cover should not be put over a wet sail ; if this is
repeatedly done, or the wet sail left covered for any length of time,
it will quickly rot.
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS.
235
2. A hook for holding the
Sail hanks. (See Clip-hooks.)
Sail hooks. — 1. {See Clip-hooks.)
seams of a sail while sewing it.
Sail ho! (at sea). — The exclamation used on the first sight of
another vessel.
Sailing. — " In navigation, the art of directing a ship on a given
line laid down in a chart. It is called plain sailing when the chart
is constructed on the supposition that the earth's surface (or rather
that of the ocean) is an extended plain, and globular sailing when
the supposition is that the earth is a sphere, the ship being then
supposed to be sailing on the arc of a great circle. " (Brande and Cox. )
Sailing free or large. — Sailing with the wind abaft the beam.
As this is sailing in the easiest manner, vessels sailing free must
make way for those close-hauled. (See Rule of the Road.)
Sailing order, or order of sailing. — In the days of sailing fleets,
" any determined order preserved by a squadron. "
Sailing within 4 points, 6
points, etc. — Sailing within a
certain angle of the direction
of the wind. To explain the
term it must be premised that
the compass card is divided
into 32 points (see Compass) ;
and further, that a vessel can-
not sail directly against the
wind, but only within a certain
angle of it, or, in nautical lan-
guage, within a certain num-
ber of points of it. That is
to say, if the wind be due
North (see fig.), and the vessel
sail within 6 points, she can
only progress in the directions
E.N.E. and W.N.W., those
being respectively the 6th
point on either side of the
North. Six points is as close
as a square rigged trading
ship will sail under ordinary
circumstances. Fore - and - aft
rigged craft will, however,
stand up to 5 points, and
some to 4 points, still mak-
ing good headway, while modern racing boats with centreboards
may, under certain conditions, be brought even closer, though not
to hold for any length of time.
Sailor. — " On shipboard, one who is making a long sea voyage
other than his first, and who is qualified to go aloft and tend the
sails. A sailor is not necessarily a seaman." (Brande and Cox).
Sailing within 6 Points.
236 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Saint Lawrence skiff. — " In the Century (New Series, Vol.
VIII.) is an interesting article upon amateur canoeing and sailing
under the heading of 'Camp Grindstone.' There is an instructive
paragraph describing the St. Lawrence skiff and the way it is
managed. The skiff as depicted is a row-boat built upon scientific
principles, and capable of seating about six persons. It is furnished
with a centre-board, and carries a spritsail on a mast stepped well
forward. The peculiarity of the craft is that when under sail it is
steered by neither rudder, oar, nor paddle, but is governed by a
person distributing his weight either forward or aft and at the same
time regulating the sheets." (Winn, The Boating Man's Vade
Mecum. )
Saloon. — The main cabin of a passenger boat.
Salt. — An old salt. — An old sailor.
Salt Horse. — (See Horse.)
Salting's. — Flat land generally lying outside a river or sea wall
and sometimes covered at spring tides.
Salnte. — In the Royal Navy salutes are made by the firing of
cannon, the number of guns marking the rank of the person or object
saluted. Thus the Royal salute is twenty-one guns, and the
number decreases to seven, the salute to a consul or a naval com-
mander. But in a more humble manner salutes are also performed
by the dipping of colours. Thus a boat on passing or being passed
by a vessel displaying the Royal Standard (which floats only above
royalty) will dip three times ; on other occasions, as to a naval
officer's flag, to that of a yachting-club officer, or to a friend, once.
Salvage. — "Originally meant the thing or goods saved from a
wreck, fire or enemies. It now signifies an allowance made to those
by whose means the ship or goods have been saved.
"Salvage loss. — A term in marine insurance implying that the
underwriters are liable to pay the amount insured on the property
lost in the ship, but taking credit for what is saved." (Smyth.)
It may be useful for the beginner to know that if any person find a
boat he has a lien on it. If, therefore, a boat be lost or get adrift
any person capturing her may deliver her up to the receiver of
wreckage, who will, if she be not reclaimed, sell her at public
auction. If an amateur have the misfortune to lose a boat he will
do well to make some private arrangement with the finder, but he
may conclude from the beginning that he will have to pay ' ' through
the nose. "
Salvo. — " A discharge from several pieces simultaneously, as a
salute. " (Smyth. )
Salvor. — The person who saves a ship or any part of it from
peril or loss. (See also Wreckers under Wreck.)
Sand. — Sand bags. — Canvas bags for use in boats to fill with
ballast. (See Ballast.)
Sand hopper. — A small crustacean, not unlike a shrimp, which
abounds on some beaches. He is one of the " sessile -eyed " class.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
237
Sand strakes. — Another name for the garboard strokes (which see).
Sand warpt. — " Left by the tide on a shoal. Also striking on
a shoal at half -flood." (Smyth.)
Saraband. — " A forecastle dance borrowed from the Moors of
Africa." (Smyth).
Sasse. — " A kind of weir with a floodgate, or a navigable sluice."
<Smyth.) v
Saucer (of a capstan). — The part receiving the spindle upon
which the capstan revolves.
Save-all, or water sail. — " A small sail sometimes set under the
foot of a lower studding-sail." (Smyth.) (See under Studding-Sails. )
Sawbones. — The surgeon on a ship is sometimes so called, as
also occasionally on shore.
Saxboard. — The uppermost
strake in an open boat. To it the
gunwale is secured (upon which the
rowlocks are fixed), together with
the inwale and outer wale, or rub-
bing piece. It is sometimes called
the gunwale strake. (See under
Gunwale.)
Scandalising. — This is some-
what of a local term. Applied to
a gaff sail (as the main sail of a
yacht), it implies that the wind is
let out of it by tricing up the tack
and settling the peak. It is often
done when coming up to moorings
in a breeze.
Scant (or scrimp) (of the wind).
— 1. A scant wind is a head wind, in which a vessel will barely lay
her course. It therefore usually implies also a very light or poor
wind. 2. In general conversation the word " scant " implies " of
short dimensions."
Scantling (from "scant," a measurement). — The dimensions
of any timber when reduced to its standard size. In shipbuilding
the scantling implies the measurement, or, more properly, the
proportion of the various constructive parts. A vessel is said to
have good scantlings when her timbers and all other parts of
her are of such dimensions as shall render her powerful and sea-
worthy. It need not necessarily mean that these are very large,
but that they are large enough, and especially so proportioned, one
to the strength of the other, that they will all strain equally together.
Scarf. — A precipitous steep.
Scarfing. — The joining together of two timbers, by sloping off the
ends of each and fastening them together, so that fchey make one
beam of uniform size throughout.
Scandalised.
238
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS.
Scarfed. — An old term for " decorated or dressed with flags."
Scaw. — A jutting point of land.
Sceud. — An abbreviation of " ascend," as when a boat lifts her-
self up to waves. It is, therefore, the contraiy to the pitch, which is
the plunging of her head down ; but in ordinary language a vessel
is always said to pitch in a heavy sea, the word " scend " being used
to describe only the upward movement.
Schooner. — There are two rigs of schooners common to our
waters : the first mostly applied to traders, the second more particu-
larly to yachts : both have two masts, fore and main.
The merchant schooner, commonly called the top-sail schooner,
carries a square top sail, sometimes double (which see) on the foremast,
the main mast being fore-and-aft rigged.
Topsail Schooner.
Schooner Yachts.
The schooner yacht is occasionally square rigged in so far as
that she may carry a square fore-topsail ; but more often she is
fore-and-aft rigged on both masts. Schooner yachts were at
one time extremely popular, and the first competitors for the
America Cup were of this class; but of late years the cutter has
entirely superseded them in racing.
There is also another class of trading schooner, with three masts,
eacli being fore-and-aft rigged. This is called the three-masted,
schooner. When it sets square sails on the foremast it is sometimes
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
239
called jackass rigged. But the jackass rig must not be confounded
with the barkentine, which, at a distance, it resembles; the barken-
tine having a brig -foremast, while the three-masted schooner has a
schooner foremast.
Besides these there is also a very beautiful class of schooner,
having four masts, all fore-and-aft rigged. These vessels hail
mostly from America. They are very swift and close-winded.
Schooner mast or schooner fore-mast. — This is spoken of in con-
tradistinction to the brig-mast. The schooner foremast is composed
of two parts only, the lower and the top mast. The brig, on the
other hand, has lower, top, and top-gallant masts, and this con-
stitutes the difference between the schooner and the brigantine,
and between the three-masted schooner and the barkentine. A
two-masted vessel with a brig-
foremast is either a brig or
a brigantine ; with a schooner
foremast, a schooner. In like
manner a three-masted vessel
(setting square sails on the
foremast only) is a barkentine
if she have a brig-foremast,
and a three-masted schooner
if she have a schooner fore-
mast. (See fig. ; also Brig
and Brigantine.)
Schuyt, or eel schuyt (pro-
nounced " scoot)." — A Dutch
vessel, of one or two masts,
employed in the eel trade
between Holland and London.
These vessels have those pe-
culiar characteristics which
mark the Dutch from other
craft, and may for general
purposes be included under the broad term " Dutchmen." (See fig.)
Scoot.— A Dutch vessel. — (See Schuyt).
To scoot (slang) — to get out of the way.
Score.— The groove on the shell of a block which admits of the
strop being tightened so that it will not move. (See Block.)
Scotch. — To be scotched up is to be supported, as a boat may be
when propped or "scotched up" against a quay by timber shores or legs.
Scotchman.— 11 A piece of stiff hide, or batten of wood, placed
over the backstays fore-swifter of the shrouds, etc., so as to secure
the standing rigging from being chafed. Perhaps so called from the
skotch or notch where the seizing is passed." (Smyth.)
Scow. — 1. " A large flat-bottomed boat, used either as a lighter
or for fenying. 2. In old Naval works the scroll is thus written.
(See Scroll.)
Schuyt.
24:0 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS.
Scow banker. — A manager of a scow ; also a contemptuous U
for a lubberly fellow." (Smyth.)
Scrabble- — " A badly written log."
Scratch. — 1. The line from which a race is supposed to st
And in a handicap where the various competitors are given mor.
less start, the one who has no start is called the scratch man
scratch. 2. In another sense, a scratch race is one in which
crews are brought together by lot or without previous train,
together. It is, therefore, often understood
to mean a race got up at short notice.
Screw. — Screw bolts or screw eyes. — Bolts
which have an eye at the head and screw into
the deck or elsewhere. In sailing boats they w ' g ~ "Ty
are very frequent, sometimes taking the place * ~^~
of shroud plates, sometimes acting as fair Screw Eyes:
leads, etc.
Screw stretcher and screw tightener. — (See Set-SCKEW.)
Screw propeller. — The propeller of a screw steam vessel.
Screw well. — An aperture into which a screw propeller may be
lifted when connecting or disconnecting it.
Scrimp. — The same as scant (which see).
Scroll, or scroll-head (in old Naval works written " scrow ").
A curved timber at the head of a ship by way of ornament. It is
mostly seen in old vessels,
but occasionally on schooner
yachts.
Scud. — To run before the
wind. It is usually, but not
necessarily, understood to
mean before a high wind.
To scud under bare poles.
— To run before the wind -:
without any sail set, the
masts, yards, and rigging of t •■*>•
a ship being sufficient to Scudding.
keep way on her, even in a
moderate breeze. Vessels may occasionally be seen scudding to an
anchorage in large estuaries, such as that of the Thames. That
the practice is ancient is certain, for St. Luke speaks of it. (See
under Strike.)
Scud. — Low, misty cloud, flying quickly.
Scud like a mudian. — An expression hurrying someone off — " Be
off quickly " ; the mudian rig of vessel being very fast. (See
Mudian.)
Scull. — With rowing men, to scull is to row with two oars called
sculls. (See under Oar.)
Single sculling. — Sculling by only one person.
A DICTION AKY OF SEA TEKMS. 241
'Double sculling. — Two persons sculling ; a plan very popular on the
pper Thames, and very much quicker than " pair oar " rowing.
i rare occasions eight scullers are put in a boat and are found to
valk away " from eight-oared boats ; but the plan is not common.
jilling, at sea, is often performed with only one oar used at the
srn of the boat, the sculler mostly standing to do his work.
Scuppers. — Openings in the bulwarks of a ship to carry off
(ok water. They are usually fitted with swinging flaps or doors,
*me are mere holes cut in the waterways, which holes are often
ited with small pipes called scupper hose or scupper shoots — or if
,ith leather valves the valves are called scupper leathers.
' Scuttle. — The meaning of the word scuttle is " a hole cut."
Thus an opening in a vessel's sides or deck, whether to admit light
or to allow of persons descending through it, is a scuttle ; as the
" forescuttle," which is the name given to the forecastle hatchway
when that consists of a mere opening in the deck without hood or
companion.
To scuttle a ship is to cut a hole in her, below the water line,
so as to sink her ; and in the same sense to scuttle a deck, or
any other part, is to cut an aperture in it.
To scuttle down is to close and, if necessaiy, batten down the
scuttles.
A scuttle butt is a large butt (carried by vessels on deck and
containing the water required for the constant use of the ship) into
the top of which a hole, or " scuttle," is cut large enough to admit
of a pail being lowered through it.
Sea. — " The sea was called saivs from a root si or siv, the Greek
seid, to shake ; it meant the tossed-about water in contradistinction
to stagnant or running water." (Max Miiller.)
The high seas are that part of the ocean beyond the (three mile)
limit over which the Government of a country claims jurisdiction.
The word sea is often used to describe the condition of the surface
of the water, as a heavy sea when the waves are large, a long sea
when there is a considerable distance between them, a short or choppy
sea when they follow closely one upon the other, a cross sea when,
in consequence of a change of wind or a run of tide, the waves meet
each other from different directions. A single wave is often called
a sea, and in the plural, the seas may mean the waves.
Sea board. — The sea shore.
Sea boat. — A good sea boat generally means a boat which conducts
herself well at sea : a bad sea boat one which sails all awash.
Sea borne. — Carried by sea. Brought from over the sea : as sea-
borne coal, which comes round the coast by ship.
Sea craft or scarf (in shipbuilding), the scarfed strakes, called the
clamps. ((See next page.)
Sea devil. — 1. The fish known as the angler, also called the
fishing frog and wide gab {Lophius piscatorius). 2. One of the
tribe Acanthopterygii.
B
242 A DIOTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS.
Sea dog. — The seal.
Sea eagle. — The fish known as the sting-ray, common trygon, or
fire- flair e (Baia pastinaca).
Sea egg. — The sea-urchin ; one of the Echinodermata.
Seafardinger. — A name for a seaman.
Sea fret. — Morning mist.
Sea gate, ox gait. — "A rolling swell: when two ships are thrown
aboard one another by its means, they are said to he in a sea-gate."
(Smyth.)
Sea girdles. — The common name for the seaweed Laminaria
digitata.
Sea-going. — A sea-going vessel is one designed for sea work in con-
tradistinction to one built for river or canal navigation. Hence we
speak of sea-going barges, because there are various sorts of barges,
not all of them sea-going.
Sea gull. — A term applied to any of the large family of Gulls,
which are very common at sea and near the shore.
Sea hog. — The porpoise.
Sea holly. — " A harsh spiny-leaved seaside plant."
Sea horse. — The small fish hippocampus, the head of which re-
sembles that of a horse : also the walrus.
Sea jelly. — A name for the medusae.
Sea lawyer. — " An idle litigious long-shorer, more given to
question orders than to obey them. " (Smyth. ) This gentleman is
not a stranger a long way from shore.
Sea lion. — A large seal with shaggy mane.
Sea mew. — Another name for the sea gull.
Sea otter. — An animal the fur of which is much sought after.
Sea pie. — A dish at sea, consisting of fish, meat, and vegetables,
with a layer of crust between each, from winch it becomes known as
a two or three decker.
Sea reach. — The reach in a river which stretches out seaward.
But the term is also used as a proper name for reaches elsewhere.
Sea scarf (in shipbuilding). — A clamp or block of wood upon
which some member of a vessel's frame is often fastened. (See
diagrams under FEAME.)
Sea serpent. — A creature, "whether in earth, or fire, sea or air,"
which Science has not yet fully acknowledged.
Sea sickness. — A malady which, though originating at sea, receives
but scant sympathy thereon.
Sea snake. — A creature belonging to the family Hyorus or
Hydrophis, and distinguished from the land snake by the compression
of the tail into a swimming organ. The genus exists and is even
said to abound in some parts of the tropics. ,
Sea thongs. — One of the British seaweeds, Eclonia buccinalis.
Sea urchin. — The sea egg. (See above. )
Sea wall. — An embankment protecting reclaimed land from the
sea or a river. It is kept in repair by those holding land through
winch it runs.
A DICTION AKY OF SEA TEEMS. 243
Sea way. — A navigable portion of the sea. It is also called a fair-
way, which term may answer also for the navigable channel of a river.
Seaweed. — Plants growing in sea water. Seaweed forms excellent
manure, and may also be used in the building of sea walls. When
thus used it is called: —
Sea-wrack. — The seaweed which is thrown up by the tide.
Sea-worthy. — Fit to go to sea.
Seam. — 1. Of a sail, the stitching up of two cloths, which,
among sail-makers, is called pricking. 2. In shipbuilding, the
space between two planks of a vessel. Seams are caulked with
oakum, and payed with pitch. The seams in the deck of a yacht
are often very close together, the narrowness of the plank con-
stituting not only a safeguard against warping but also a great
beauty. For this latter reason it is often the practice, where, for
economy, wide planks have been used, to make a sham seam down
the middle of each. Though no fault can be found with such a method
of decoration, it is well for the amateur, if he be buying a boat, to
see that he is not deceived into the conclusion that narrow planks
have been employed, when, in fact, they may have been but imitated.
Seaman. — A man who has been brought up to or served a
certain number of years at sea. A complete seaman is called able-
bodied and rated A.B. ; one having served a less number of years, an
ordinary seaman; one only beginning his career, a landsman,
which is equivalent to an ordinaiy seaman of the second class.
Seaman's disgrace. — An old name for a foul anchor.
Seaman 's pleasure. — Time spent by a seaman on shore.
Seamanship. — The practical part of working a ship; rigging her, etc.
Season. — To keep baulks of timber, or a vessel, some time in the
water before making use of either.
Seat-pad. — A small piece of cloth, wool, or sheepskin, with a
tape at each corner, for tying on to the thwart of a row-boat and
thus making the seat less hard.
Second-hand. — On shipboard, but more particularly on small
craft, such as fishing boats, the second in command (excluding the
captain) is usually called the second-hand ; the word u hand " mean-
ing "man."
Section. — A drawing representing (in marine architecture) the
internal parts of a vessel as if she had been cut straight down along
any particular line, either longways or athwartships. In the
designing of a large ship a great number of sectional drawings are
made. In small craft two, with a plan, may be sufficient ; one show-
ing her cut along the line of the keel — i. e. , a side view of her interior,
and called the sheer plan ; the other showing her cut in half across
the widest part, and called the body plan. And this latter one is
generally so arranged that one-half shows the interior looking for
ward, and the other half the view looking aft. This will be better
understood by a reference to the paragraph under lines.
Seel. — To suddenly lurch over, but quickly return to the upright.
B 2
244
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Set
Screw:
Seize. — To secure ; as to fasten two ropes, or different parts of
the same rope, together, -with a binding of small rope, or with yarn.
The material used for binding is called the seizing.
Selvage or selvedge. — The natural edge of any woven
material, or of sail cloth.
Selvagee. — A ring of rope for fastening round a spar, so as to
lift or move it.
Semaphore. — An instrument, as its name implies, " carrying
signs " or signals ; and sometimes used at sea with the International
Code. In its most familiar form it is the railway signal
with its post and arms. (See under SIGNAL.)
Serve.— To bind up or cover anything. To serve rope, to
bind it round with canvas and line ; these materials being
called the service. (See Worm, Parcel, and Serve.)
Set. — Set-bolts. — Bolts used in driving others deeply
into some timber.
Set-screw, screw-stretcher, wire-stretcher, or screw-
tightener. — An instrument consisting of a long shanked
hook screwing into a frame, which may be turned round
upon it so as to increase or reduce the length of shank
exposed. In small boats it sometimes takes the place of
the shroud tackle (dead eyes, lanyards, etc.), and is found
very convenient, as by a few turns of the frame the shroud
may be rendered taut or slack. It may also be used with
advantage on a bob-stay purchase, or with
bow-sprit whiskers.
Set flying. — A sail is said to be set flying
when it has no stay, gaff, or yard to guide
it up. And when it does go up on a stay
or spar it is said to be set standing. Thus,
in a cutter yacht, the foresail is attached
by hanks to the fore stay, which guides the
sail up so that it cannot fly out in the
wind. But the jib has no such stay to
guide it ; it is merely attached by its head
to the halyard and by its tack to the
traveller, and, being lifted, it flies about
in the wind until it is hauled taut, and
may, therefore, be justly said to be " set flying." (See fig.)
Set of the tide, or of a current. — The direction in which the tide or
current flows, i.e., runs up.
Set sail. — To haul up the sails preparatory to starting, synonymous
with "make sail."
Set up. — Generally speaking, to tighten up, in contradistinction
to settle, which is to lower. Thus, to "set up the peak" is to
give the final pull, or swig, on it, so as to bring the sail quite flat ;
to " set up the shrouds. " to take in their slackness so that they
may have the same strain as before.
Set Flying.
Set Standing.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 245
Sett. — A particular spot in a river where nets are set. The
word is frequently met with in Norfolk, where it is the custom for
eel fishermen to locate themselves permanently in one spot. Here
the eelman brings an old boat, which being converted into a house,
affords him shelter from the weather, and round it his gear may
often be seen hanging ready for baiting, forming a characteristic
and picturesque incident in a very romantic landscape.
Settle. — To lower, or to become lower. The word may be used
in both senses ; as ' ' settle the peak, " i. e. , " lower the peak " ; or
" the ship is settling, " meaning she is lowering or becoming lower
in the water, perhaps preparatory to sinking, as "she settled and
sank. "
Severe. — " Effectual ; as, a severe turn on a be laying-pin."
Sewed. — A vessel aground is said to be sewed by as much depth
as is still required to float her. Thus if she draws 12ft. and the tide
leaves her in only 6ft. of water, she is sewed 6ft.
Sextant. — The instrument used at sea for measuring the altitudes
of the celestial bodies, and thereby determining the position of a
ship. Its form and use are briefly but very lucidly explained by
Captain W. R. Martin, in a contribution to Lloyd's " Seaman's
Almanac," 1897.
Shackle. — A small U-shaped iron with
the open end connected by a screw-pin.
Shackles have various uses, e.g., to connect
lengths of chain, as in a cable ; in which
case the head of the screw-pin is counter-
sunk so as to allow of the chain running
free. They are also a good deal employed
on the tacks or clews of sails, their princi- Anchor
pal advantage over hooks being that they shu-klks.
cannot shake off ; in a squall, however, or
in any emergency, they are somewhat awkward to manipulate.
When fitted to cables, shackles should be placed with the apex
forward, so that the chain may pay out freely. Anchor shackle- pins
are not screwed in, but tapered and slipped in, and fastened with
wood or lead plugs.
Shaekle-croiv. — A bar of iron (like a crowbar), but fitted with a
shackle for drawing out bolts, etc.
Shadow building. — A term used to denote a method of build-
ing boats without regard to specially drawn plans (called " lines ")
or to intermediate calculations.
Snaffle. — A split collar : one of the fittings on a mast to receive
its boom. {See Gooseneck and Shaffle.)
Shake. — To cast off or loosen, as : — To shake out a reef. — To let
it out.
To shake a cask. — To take it to pieces and pack up the parts,
which are then termed shakes. Hence the term, ' No great shakes,"
expressing "of little value."
24:6 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Shake in the ivind. — A sail shakes or shivers when a vessel is
brought head to wind ; and this is sometimes called a tell-tale shake.
Shakes (in shipbuilding). — Cracks or rents in a timber.
"Shaking a cloth in the ivind." — In galley parlance, means
" slightly intoxicated."
Shank (of an anchor). — The main shaft or leg. (See Anchor.)
Shank painter. — A rope wliich holds the shank of an anchor
while on deck.
Shank of a hook. — That part al>ove the bent portion.
Sheave. — The wheel in a block ; and sometimes in a spar, such
as the bowsprit of a small yacht. (See note under Block).
Sheave hole. — The hole in which the sheave runs.
Sheepshank. — A method of shortening a rope without cutting
it or loosening its ends. (See under KNOTS.)
Sheer. — The word may be synonymous with "mere"; as " a
sheer hulk " in the sense of a " hulk merely." (See Hulk.)
In shipbuilding, the sheer is the straight or curved Line which the
deck line of a vessel makes when viewed from the side. When
straight, she is said to have a straight sheer.
The sheer-plan is the drawing in which the sheer is delineated. It
is a longitudinal section through the keel, and shows the position of
every point with regard to its position fore and aft, as well as its
height above the keel. (See Lines. )
Sheer battens are long rods used in shipbuilding to mark off the
position of the planks called bends or wales before they are bolted on.
The sheer stroke is the strake immediately below the sheer line;
In ships it is often of thicker planking than the other strakes.
(See diagrams under Frame. )
To sheer or sheer off (in sailing), to bear away from.
Sheers are long beams or legs forming a sort of crane, used for
rifting heavy weights into vessels or on to quays, etc. The apparatus
is sometimes set up on old hulls, for dockyard use, pier building,
etc. ; these hulls being then called sheer hulls or hulks. (See
Hulk.)
Sheet. — The rope attached to a sail so that it may be worked,
that is, let out or hauled in as occasion may require. Sheets
take their names from the sails they work, as the main sheet,
working the mainsail ; the jib sheets, working the jib, etc. ; and
they will, accordingly, be found described under their specific
headings. To rally out a sheet is to let it run out. To overhaul it
is the same. When a vessel is close-hauled with sheets brought in and
belayed, they are said to be sheeted home. In a ship, the ropes attached
to both clews of those square sails which are above the courses are
called sheets ; in the courses (lower square sails) only the aftermost
of these ropes is the sheet, the weathermost being called the tack^
In poetry, we often find the word " sheet " used to designate a sail,
as in the Line, " the fresh breeze meets her dingy sheets." This, of
course, is often Licence, taken for the sake of rhyme ; and if the
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 247
poet is to be excused for straining after rhyme, it must lie passed
over as such.
Three sheets in the wind. — A grade in drunkenness, verging on
the incapable.
Sheet anchor. — The most powerful anchor carried by a ship, and
popularly supposed to be used only as a last resource, in which sense
the term is frequently used in general conversation.
Sheet clip (or sheet slip). — An instrument, the principal agent in
which is a sort of drop pawl, by which sheets may be held, while
necessary, and instantly
released. They are of
great use in single-handed
sailing, and in small boats
may often be used to hold
the main sheet. (Illus-
trated under Clip.) & ^S%jTu " m **<*t4
Head-sheets, stern- ™****tfo
sheets (in open boats). — Head and Stern-sheets.
The floor- boards covering
the space either at the head or the stem of the boat. {See fig.)
Shelf (in shipbuilding). — A longitudinal timber within the ribs
of a vessel. (See diagram under FRAME. )
Shell. — 1. A popular term for the remnant of a vessel after she
has been completely stripped.
2. Of a block. — The outer casing of a block is its shell.
3. Among rowing men, and especially among journalistic littera-
teurs, a wager boat, or best racing boat, is sometimes called a shell.
Shelve. — To slope down rapidly, as a shelving beach, winch is a
very steep beach.
Shifting. — Shifting backstays. — Those of the backstays of a
vessel which may be shifted over from side to side when she goes
about on another tack, and from which, therefore, may be derived
the origin of the terms in stays, missing stays, slack in stays, etc.
(See under Backstays and Tack.)
Shifting sands. — Such banks of sand as are soft and liable to alter
their form. Also quick-sands.
Ship. — A term applied indiscriminately to any large vessel, but
among seamen restricted to one which is full rigged. (See Full-
rigqed Ship.)
To ship. — To put a thing into its proper position for working,
as " to ship oars, " to put them into the rowlocks preparatory
to rowing. "To ship the rudder," to hang it ready for use,
etc. And if to ship is to put a thing in working position,
then to unship is to take it off. Thus to unship oars " is to take
them out of the rowlocks, and to " unship the rudder " to unhinge
it. From this it will be seen that to ship is not necessarily to bring
within the ship, but in most cases it is so, as to ship a cargo; to
ship hands (men) ; to ship stores, etc., which is to take them on board.
248
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
To ship a sea. — To be overtaken "by a wave, or to plunge into it so
that it comes into or over the ship.
Shoal. — I. Shallow. 2. A shoal is a shallow place.
Shore.— The margin of the sea, or of a river. ((See Foreshore.)
Those living close to the shore are called " shoresmen," to dis-
tinguish them from those living inland. So also a shore raker is a
man who hangs about by the waterside. (See Loafer.)
Shores. — Props placed under a vessel while building or in a dry
dock, or it may be to keep a vessel upright when she is aground.
She is then said to be shored up.
Shot. — An additional cable's length. (See CABLE.)
Shot in the locker. — An old expression signifying money in one's
pocket. The old motto is "Never say die whilst there's a shot in
the locker. ' '
Show a leaf. — An exclamation meaning " Show that you are in
earnest, " or otnerwise. " Look sharp ! " The term is derived from the
old saying that if a man showed a leg out of his bunk it might
reasonably be considered that he was about to rise.
Shrouds. — Strong ropes supporting a mast laterally ; they are
now almost always of wire rope. They take their names from the
spars they support, as the main or mizzen shrouds, the topmast
shrouds, the bowsprit shrouds, etc. In large vessels they are con-
nected by small ropes to form ladders ; these ropes being called
ratlines or rattlings (which see). The shrouds of fore-and-aft
rigged masts are fitted in the following manner : — One piece of wire
rope is doubled so as to form two legs. A little below the bend these
parts are seized together, forming what is called a collar, i.e., a loop ;
and this collar being passed over the head of the mast, both legs
come down on the same side of the vessel. Or if there be only one
shroud, an eye splice is made at the upper end, which is passed over
the mast in the same way. But the shrouds of
large square rigged masts are not fitted in this
manner. These communicate singly with a strong
spider hoop beneath the mast-head, and thence ex-
tend downwards to the sides of the vessel. And for
small boats, or in case of having to rig up shrouds
temporarily, a very simple method is employed by
the fishermen. It consists in taking two ropes of
sufficient length to span the boat from the mast-
head ; making a simple overhand knot in the
middle of one ; passing the other through it,
thereby making a sort of slip knot of the two ;
and passing the loop thus made over the mast
head (or if that cannot be done the loop is made
round the mast head) in the manner illustrated
under Knot. At the end of each leg of the
shrouds a dead-eye is turned in ; and a lanyard
(a small rope) passing through this dead-eye and shrouds.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 249
another fellow to it on the channel plate allows the shrouds to be
tightened (or set up, as it is technically termed) on each side. The
dead-eyes are blind blocks — i.e., they have no sheaves, and for this
reason the lanyards are less liable to slip through them. In rigging
them it is customary to pass the lanyard through one of the eyes
and, by making a stopper knot at the end of the rope, thus prevent
it from slipping through. The other end of the lanyard may then
be reeved through the holes in both dead-eyes and the shroud " set
up." ((See Dead-eyes. ) The length of shroud from the dead-eyes
on one side, over the mast and to the dead-eyes on the other side, is
called the span of the rigging.
Such are the shrouds of a lower mast ; others are fitted somewhat
differently, as will be seen : — Topmast shrouds. — 1. On a fore-and-
aft rigged mast, or one carrying only one topmast, such as the main
mast of a cutter or the mizzen of a schooner, etc., the shroud is
passed over the head of the topmast and extended by means of a
cross-tree, shortly below which it terminates ; being then taken up
by another length, or by a tackle with ropes called the legs. The
reason for this is that when the topmast is lowered its shrouds may
only just reach to the deck. For were they so long as to do this
when the mast was up, they would be greatly in the way when it
came down ; whereas, the shrouds being short and the legs movable,
these latter can be disconnected and stowed away when the mast
is lowered. 2. On masts which cany more than one topmast, as
the fore and main masts of a bark or a brig — in other words, on a
brig mast — the method above described is impossible, for even if
practicable, the cross-trees and side gear would prevent the yards
of the square sails from traversing about the mast. Another
system is, therefore, necessary, and it is carried out as follows : —
Each mast head is furnished with a large plate of iron called the
futtock-plate, to which, by smaller plates, dead-eyes are attached ;
and the shrouds which come down from the top-mast head also have
dead-eyes, so that they may be set up in the same way as those of
£he lower mast.
Bowsprit shrouds are the ropes (usually of wire) which give
lateral support to the bowsprit just as mast shrouds do to a
mast. They are attached to a ring called the cranse-iron at the
end of the bowsprit, and being taken up by tackles (like the legs
of topmast shrouds) may be set up from the bow of the vessel. In small
craft they are often attached to the bow by a set-screw or screw-
tightener (which see) which, by being turned one way or the other,
either tightens or slackens them.
Shroud plates, or shroud irons. — Irons fitted to the sides of small
boats to take the shroud tackles. They take the place of the
channel plates of larger craft. (See Channels.)
Side. — Side fishes. — In a made mast, the convex pieces which
form the rounded sides of the mast ; to fish being to secure one
piece of wood over another, usually for strengthening it.
250
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Side kelsons, or sister kelsons (in ship-building). — Side timbers
forming kelsons beside the actual kelson, for extra strength. {See
under Frame.)
Signals. — " A system of symbols addressed to the eye — as flags,
boards, lights, etc., for establishing communications at distances too
great for the voice." It is impossible in this place to enter into the
history and development of signals, or to mention one half the
number of vaiying codes which have been brought forward! A few
of those, however, most useful to the amateur sailor may be ex-
plained. The International Steering and Sailing Rules should be
studied ; they may be obtained at any marine publisher's, or found in
Lloyd's " Seaman's Almanac " ; most books on amateur' sailing also
give them. (See Mr. Christopher Davies' "Boat Sailing for Amateurs, "
and other works.) These contain the regulations as to fog and
distress signals, bights, and
all other points necessary for
sea cruising. With a know-
ledge of them and of the
International Code of Flag
Signals, to which should be
added an acquaintance with
the storm signals of the
Meteorological Office, the
yachtsman may feel toler-
ably confident of himself.
International Code. — The
flag signals are 18 in number,
and a pennant or code signal,
and it is by a combination of
any number up to four that
symbols representing words
or sentences are made. The
list of the code with instruc-
tions as to signalling, to-
gether with various official
notices and regulations issued
by the Admiralty and Board
of Trade, edited by the
Registrar -General of Sea-
men, and published by the
Committee of Lloyd's, price
12s., should be obtained by
those who wish to use them.
Hoisted at the
fore.
Want a Pilot.
I Have Sprung
a Leak.
SIGNALS.
The flags themselves, in colour, are given in "Lloyd's Almanac"
and other works. Inconsequence of the fact that colours are not
distinguishable at a great distance, and further, that while on a
still day they may not extend at all, and on a windy day they
may be blown in a direction end on to the observer and still be unin-
telligible, a second system, known as distance signalling, has been
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
251
introduced into the International Code, its main characteristic being
the ball, which is used in conjunction with plain pennants and
square flags, of any colour, one or more balls appearing in every
hoist. And beyond this there is the semaphore, which resembles
Answering Pennant
hoisted at Lloyd's
Signal Stations in
fair weather.
Flag hoisted
at Lloyd's
Stations.
Distance.
Semaphore.
What Ship is Ihat?
SIGNALS.
the signal-post of a railway line, but has three arms, employed
to represent either the ball, pennant, or flag of the distance signal,
the same code being followed : an arm horizontal represents the
ball, an arm pointing downwards a pennant, an arm pointing
upwards a flag. A disc is exposed at the head of the post during
the time the signalling is going on, and when no longer in use
it comes down, and the arms fall and become invisible. To render
the various symbols possible from small craft which cany neither
balls nor signal flags, the following substitutes may be adopted
and used as distance signals : — In place of the pennant — Any
long strip of cloth, or, in lieu, any piece of board longer than it
is wide ; in place of the flag — any square flag, a handkerchief, or a
square piece of cloth ; in place of the ball — any object approaching
the spherical in shape, as a hat or anything rolled up like a ball.
And to effect a signal there must be two of each, because two
balls, two pennants, or two flags have often to be lioisted together
to form a symbol.
The following signals come under the " Regulations for Pre-
venting Collisions at Sea. " Fog signals, Art. 12. — Both steam and
sailing vessels must be provided with fog horn and bell (except Turkish
vessels, which employ a drum instead of a bell) ; and they are used
in the following manner :— (A) A steamship under way shall make
with her steam whistle, or other steam sound signal, at intervals of
not more than two minutes, a prolonged blast. (B) A sailing ship
under Avay shall make with her fog horn, at intervals of not more
than two minutes, when on the starboard tack one blast, when on
the port tack two blasts in succession, and when with the wind
abaft the beam three blasts in succession. (C) A steam ship and a
252 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
sailing ship, when not under way, shall, at intervals of not more
than two minutes, ring the bell. Signals of distress, Art. 27. —
" When a ship is in distress and requires assistance from other ships
or from the shore, the following shall be the signals to be used or
displayed by her, either together or separately ; that is to say — In
the day time — 1. A gun fired at intervals of about a minute ;
2. The International Code signal of distress indicated by N.C. ;
3. The distant signal, consisting of a square flag, having either
above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball. At night —
1. A gun fired at intervals of about a minute ; 2. Flames on the ship
(as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.) ; 3. Rockets or shells,
throwing stars of any colour or description, fired one at a time at
short intervals. " Signals for pilots are as follow : — In the daytime
— 1. To be hoisted at the fore, the Union Jack, having round it a
white border one-fifth of the breadth of the flag ; or 2. The
International Code pilotage signal indicated by P.T. At night. —
1. The pyrotechnic light, commonly known as a blue light, every
fifteen minutes ; or 2. A bright white light, flashed or shown at
short or frequent intervals just above the bulwarks, for about a
minute at a time." *
Meteorological Office storm signals. — These are sent to various
stations in the United Kingdom announcing atmospheric disturbances
near the coasts of the British Isles.
The fact that one of these notices has been received at any station
is made known by hoisting a cone three feet high and three feet
wide at base, which appears as a triangle when hoisted. The cone
is kept hoisted until dusk, and then lowered, but is hoisted again at
daylight next morning, and so on until the end of 48 hours from
the time at which the message was issued from London.
The cone point downwards means that gales or strong winds
are probable, at first from southward ; that is from S.E. round by
S. to N.W.
Should it appear likely that a gale will begin from W. and N.W.,
and also that it is likely to veer towards N. or N.E., the noi'th cone
will be hoisted in preference to the south cone.
The cone point upwards means that gales or strong winds are
probable, at first from the northward ; that is from N.W. round by
N. to S.E.
Should it appear likely that a gale will begin from between E. and
S.E., and also that it is likely to veer towards S. or S.W., the
south cone will be hoisted in preference to the north cone.
At dusk, whenever a signal ought to be flying if it were daylight,
a night signal consisting of three lanterns hung on a triangular
frame, may be hoisted in place of the cone, point downwards
(for south cone) or point upwards (for north cone) as the case
may be."
Further information and a list of the Meteorological Office Signal
* N.B.— A person who makes use of these signals except in necessity is liable for
all risks or labour incurredby those answering it.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
253
Stations may always be obtained at the Meteorological Office ; and
the reader may also refer to Lloyd's " Seaman's Almanac."
Signal halyard. — The halyard used to elevate signals, burgees, or
any other flags to a mast or topmast head. It is a thin rope rove
through a small sheave hole in the truck, and in yachts, etc., is
usually tied to the shrouds, a clove-hitch being a quick and secure
knot to employ in fastening it. (See Knots.) By the flag halyard
is generally understood (in fore-and-aft rig) that halyard which
takes a flag (usually the ensign) up to the peak, and often called
the peak line. {See under Peak.)
Silent deaths. — A name given by fishermen to screw steam
vessels, and possibly not altogether without reason. Those who
have found themselves acci-
dentally in too close proxi-
mity to large steamers, more
especially towards night, will
appreciate the full meaning
of the term, and will have dis-
covered how silently these
huge vessels creep along.
Skid. — Wedges or sup-
ports which fit under a vessel
when launching.
Skiff. — An open boat
usually employed for plea-
sure. It varies in form
according to locality ; thus
on the Upper Thames, the
long light - built pleasure
boats with pointed stems
and extending sides are called skiffs,
to distinguish them from the gigs, of
the same district, Avhich are heavier and
built with a straight sheer and upright
stem. Lower down, on the same river,
the gig, or something like it, becomes
the skiff, while certain sailing boats
go by the same name, and in commerce,
an oyster skiff may become almost a
fishing smack. The name is only
another form of the word " ship."
Oyster skiff. — A boat used in the
oyster fisheries of the Essex rivers,
and occasionally elsewhere. (See under
TOW-HAULING.)
Skimming dish. — A slang name
sometimes given to the modern form of racing boat which, depending
for its stability upon its centre-board, is so designed as to lie almost
entirely on the surface of the water.
Oyster Skiff.
Skimming Dish.
254 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Skin. — The skin of a vessel is the planking which covers her ribs.
Where the planking is double, the inner layer is called the skin, the
outer being the case.
Skipper. — The master of a merchant vessel ; called, by courtesy,
captain, on shore, and always so at sea. The man employed as
captain in a yacht is also called the skipper.
Skirts (of a sail). — The main body of the sail. Thus a sail
brailed up is sometimes said to "be gathered up by the skirts."
{See Brail.)
Sky. — Skylight. — A framework of wood, often glazed and made
to open, admitting light and air into the cabin of a vessel.
Sky sail. — The highest sail ordinarily set on a ship, though there
can be others above it. It is only used in light winds, one on each
mast, and the ship is then said to be "flying her kites." (See
Light Sails.)
Slack. — Loose or slow. — The slack of a rope is the loose
part of it.
Slack in stays. — A vessel is thus described when she is slow in
coming round from one tack to another. (See Tack. )
Slack tide, or slack water. — That condition of the tide when it is
nearly stationary. When it approaches its full it becomes slack
and remains so until a short time after its turn. Likewise, but in
a lesser degree, when it nears its lowest ebb it slackens, and
remains slack until the full force of the incoming flood is felt.
At the moment of its highest and lowest points, it becomes
theoretically stationaiy.
Slammer. — A slang term meaning a very heavy squall.
Slew. — To swing round rapidly. Spoken sometimes of a boat
under sail, if allowed to turn her head suddenly round to the wind.
Slew rope. — A rope by which anything is slewed round.
Sliding. — Sliding gunter. — A short pole for extending a sail
upon a pole-mast. It takes the place of a gaff and slides up and
down the upper end of the mast, thereby reducing or increasing sail
as may be required. In theory this principle is undeniably good ;
but for pleasure boats the practice has not become general, though
at one time it was much used in the Royal Navy.
Sliding keel. — The old name for a centre keel (which see).
Sliding seats (in rowing). — Movable seats used in bight racing
boats to enable the rowers to in-
crease the length of their stroke.
They may either run on metal or
glass bearers or be carried on rollers,
the latter method being now usually
the favourite. It has been said that
racing records since the introduc-
tion of sliding seats have failed to
prove their superiority over the
fixed seats. This, however, is a SuniNG Seats.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
255
Slings
teggfe
mistake : records are becoming lessened year by year ; and thougb
the best times made on fixed seats may not appear to be so very far
behind those of to-day, it must be remembered that a matter of a
few seconds often means a considerable distance when boats are
travelling through the water at racing speed ; while in comparing
old records with those of to-day, conditions of wind, tide, and
weather are too often left out of consideration.
Sliding ways. — In shipbuilding, the baulks upon which a vessel
slides into the water when launched.
Sling.^-1. In square rig, the sling of a yard is the middle point,
(See Yard.) 2. In fore-and-aft rig, a rope passed under any-
thing to give it support or lift it by. An instance may be given : —
It is the practice in yachts to put
sail covers over such sails as can-
not be readily bent and unbent,
when the boat has been out and
may be required again shortly.
Thus the mainsail is lowered,
furled and covered with the cloth,
which is also laid over the gaff.
But to do this the peak halyards
must be removed, or otherwise the
cover could not be taken over the
gaff. The blocks are, therefore,
unhooked, and when the cloth is
passed over they are attached to slings which pass under the boom
and over the cover (see fig.) 3. The topping lift in some sailing
boats, the " Una " more particularly, and in those carrying lug sails
is sometimes called the sling.
Sling your hook. — A slang expression, meaning " Be off !"
Slip. — To let go a thing purposely, as to " slip the anchor "—that
is, to let it go from the ship.
Slips. — In ship-building, the inclined
plane upon which a vessel is built or
repaired, the slope of which enables
her to be " slipped " into the water
when finished.
Slip stoppers. — Slips or stoppers, on
shipboard, are ropes used in letting go Jtlr-stau
the lashings of a large anchor. J'
Sloop (Dutch, sloep ; French,
ehaloupe). — " A vessel with one mast
like a cutter ; but having a iib stay,
winch a cutter has not." This defi-
nition, which gives the foundation of
the difference between the cutter and
the sloop, necessitates that the bow-
sprit of the latter be a standing (or
fixed) one, and not, as in the cutter, a Sloop.
256 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
reeving one — i.e., one ready at any time to be drawn inboard : for
in the sloop, the jib-stay takes the place of the cutter's fore-stay in
giving permanent support to the mast, which it could not do were
it liable to be shifted in or out with the bowsprit. The structural
difference between the two is, therefore, in the fixing of the bow-
sprit, while the result of this difference is seen in the arrangement
of the head sails. In the cutter, the forestay is attached to the
stem-head, and the foresail runs on this stay, the jib being set
flying — tbat is, without a stay at all. In the sloop, on the
other hand, the fore-stay (now called the jib-stay) is fixed to the
nose of the bowsprit, and the jib is hoisted on this stay ; and it
is generally made sufficiently large to do entirely away with the
foresail. It may possibly be said that this large sail has as
much right to be called a foresail as a jib, and so, perhaps,
from a certain point of view, it has. But a jib, in the usual
acceptation of the meaning, is a sail run out on a boom at the
head of a vessel, irrespective of the manner in which it is set ; and
as the sail in question answers to that meaning, it is properly
called a jib. Moreover (though it is not customary), the sloop
may have the two head sails common to the cutter, the jib-stay
still remaining, and in such a case the confusion entailed by changing
the names of sails would be very great. It will be understood from
the above that the bowsprit of the sloop is usually shorter than that
of the cutter ; and, indeed, in some cases, it is so short as to become
little more than a bumpkin or jigger.
The Americans have a method of fitting some of their racing
yachts with a short fixed bowsprit, over which is run out a sort of
jib-boom. The fore-stay is carried to the head of the short bow-
sprit : this enables the size of the foresail to be greatly increased,
while a jib is also set on the jib-boom. They call this sloop rig, and
obtain very successful results with it.
Further reference to the differences existing between the cutter
and the sloop will be found under the heading Cutter, under which
they are also illustrated.
The sloop rig is very usual on the Norfolk broads, though else-
where it is not so common. It is very handy in single-handed
sailing, and may be applied to craft of almost any size.
Sloop of war (old Naval term). — The general name at one time
given to ships of war below the size of corvettes and above that of
brigs. The term is still in use for a certain class of war vessels.
Slops. — "A name given to ready-made clothes, and other
furnishings, for seamen, by Maydman, in 1691. In Chaucer's time,
sloppe meant a sort of breeches. In a manuscript account of the
wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth, is an order to John Fortescue for the
delivery of some Naples fustian for ' Sloppe for Jack Green, our
Foole.'" (Smyth.)
Slot. — A groove or hole for a pin.
Sludge. — Mud deposited by a stream.
Slue.— (See Slew.)
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
257
Smacks.
I '.(UTS.
Slush bucket.
On ship board, the
bucket containing the
grease for the masts,
etc.
Smack. — The name
given indiscriminately
to any sort of fishing
vessel. But the fisher-
men distinguish be-
tween a smack and a
boat, the smack being
considerably the larger
of the two and engaged
exclusively in trawl-
ing. It is wholly
decked, and often sup-
plied with a steam
engine for getting in
the trawl, whereas the
boat is often (though
of perhaps from 20 to
40 tons burden) only half decked. The finest smacks in the world
sail out of Grimsby, Yarmouth and Lowestoft, and some from
Brixham. Formerly a boat for mercantile or passenger service was
called a smack, even though as high as 200 tons burden.
Smack smooth. — An expression signifying that nothing stands
above the deck ; or that everything has been carried away, leaving
the decks absolutely bare.
Smart money. — The name given to the pensions of wounded
men — calculated according to their rank.
Smart tackle. — An expression used by sailors for the necessary
certificates to enable a man to obtain smart money.
Smoke-stack. — The funnel and its pipes, on a steam vessel.
Snaffle, or shaffle. — A collar with open ends : one of the fittings
of a boom to its mast. (See Gooseneck and Shaffle.)
Snaking. — Much the same as worming, only usually done
with larger stuff, as with a small line round a rope. It is said that
the backstays of the ship " Shannon, " when she engaged the " Chesa-
peake," were snaked with half-inch rope to prevent their falling
asunder if shot away.
Snarley-yow. — A discontented person.
Snarl-knot. — A knot which cannot be drawn loose.
Snatch. — Any guide or block for a rope to pass through, ao as
to alter its direction.
Snatch block. — An iron block of one sheave which is fitted so that
a rope can be slipped into it without passing the end through. (See
Block.)
258
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Snotters.
It has two masts
Dumb snatch. — A snatch in which
there is no sheave.
Snood. — The attachment of a
fishing hook to its line ; as the gut
or gimp.
Snotter. — The support into
which the foot of a sprit is placed
so as to prevent it from slipping ,$■„„
down its mast. In small boats it is
usually a loop in a rope, in barges
it is an iron ring. (See fig. ; also
under Sprit.)
Snow. — "A vessel formerly
much in use. It differs slightly from a brig,
similar to the main and foremasts of a ship, and close abaft the main
mast is a trysail-mast. Snows differ only from brigs in that the boom
mainsail is hooped to the main-mast in the brig and traverses on the
trysail-mast in the snow." (Smyth.) The vessel is becoming extinct.
Snubbing. — Bringing a vessel up suddenly
with an anchor and short cable. Generally
speaking, to snub is to check suddenly.
Snug. — Ready for a gale or for the night, etc.
Sny. — 1. A diminutive toggle, often attached
to a flag. 2. In shipbuilding, one of the timbers
in the bow of the vessel. Also a slight upward
curve in a piece of timber.
Soak. — A boat is said to soak up or down on
the tide when, in making her way across the tide, she is carried up
or down with it.
Sod-bank. — A phenomenon sometimes seen in calm water. A
multiplication of objects by refraction.
Soft plank. — An easy berth on board a ship.
Soldier's wind. — A wind which serves either way — therefore, a
side wind. It is undoubtedly so called because when a vessel is
once under way with such a wind — there being no tacking required
— even a soldier can sail her.
Sole (from the French sol — a floor). — A cabin deck is some-
times called by this name.
Sole of the rudder. — A piece added to make it level with a false keel.
Sole plate. — A plate of iron forming the foundation for a marine
engine.
Solstices. — "The epochs when the sun passes through the
solstitial points." They mark the beginning of summer and winter
much as the equinoxes do the beginning of autumn and spring.
Sound. — 1. Sound, in perfect condition.
2. An inlet from the sea over which soundings may be taken, as
Plymouth Sound. A deep bay.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
259
SOU'-WESTKR.
Sounding. — Taking depth of water and the quality of ground, by
the lead and line. Tallow being inserted into the hollow space at
the bottom of the lead, will enable a small quantity of the ground
upon which it descends to be brought up, and by this means an
experienced navigator is enabled to judge his whereabouts in foggy
weather, or if for any other cause he is unable to determine his
situation.
Sounding line. — The instruments used in sounding. (See Lead
and Line.)
South. — Southing. — Distance southward.
The opposite to Northing (which see).
Southing of the moon. — The time at which
the moon passes the meridian at any place.
South-wester (pronounced "sou-wester ").—
A waterproof hat, with a large flap behind,
much used by fishermen and sailors.
Span. — The span of a rope, or of the
rigging, on shipboard, is the same as, in
architecture, is the span of an arch — i.e.,
the distance across its extremities. It
follows, therefore, that to form a span, a
rope must be bent. And since a rope
thus bent may be used for a multitude
of purposes, the actual meaning of the
word "span" has become forgotten,
and the rope itself has come to be called
the span. The span of the rigging ha,
theoretically, the distance across the
shrouds, from dead-eye to dead-eye ;
but, for the reason above-mentioned,
the span in practice is often, as des-
cribed by Smyth — " The length of the
shrouds from the dead-eye on one side,
over the mast, to the dead-eye on the
other side." But, in proof that this
is not the actual and true span, we
have the expression " To span in the
rigging," which Is, according to the
same authority, " to draw the upper
parts of the shrouds together by the
tackles, in order to seize on (attach)
the cat-harpings, " or, in other words,
to reduce (span in) the lateral span of
the shrouds on one side, at the point
where the cat-harpings are secured.
Our business, is, liowever, with prac-
tice, and the simplest definition which
can be given of a span is, perhaps,
a rope bent so as to form two legs.
Spans.
s 2
260
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TEEMS.
Spanish Reef.
Thus, a short rope or chain with both ends secured to a spar
so that a purchase may be hooked to the bight (middle) is a span ;
and this is the way in which the peak-halyards of a heavy gaff are
usually fitted, whether in a yacht or in any other craft, thereby
giving the peak a lift in two places. And, in the same manner,
if a rope, having an eye or a block at each end, be attached by
its middle to any portion of a ship's rigging, it forms a span ;
and this arrangement is sometimes made use of as a guide for
leading sheets or any other ropes in a desired direction . Again, in
square rigged ships we find short ropes
with blocks seized (fastened) into each
end, hanging from the mast caps, the
blocks taking the main lifts, topmast
studding-sail halyards, etc. ; and these
blocks, because attached to a span, are
called span blocks.
Spanish reef.— 1. In square rigged
vessels, the yards lowered on the cap of
the mast. 2. A method of reducing
the size of (reefing) a jib sail, by tying
the head of it into a knot.
Spank. — To spank along is to be
carried briskly along by a fine fresh,
or, as it is often called, a spanking
breeze.
Spanker. — The gaff sail on the mizzen mast of a ship. It is also
called the driver. It is not, however, the gaff sail on the mizzen
mast of a bark : that is the mizzen ; and the same on the barkentine.
Spar. — A spar is one of the timber members of a vessel's gear
disunited from the rest. A boom, a gaff, a yard, or any other such
member, is itself a spar ; and all these, taken collectively, form the
spars of a ship. Thus we may come across a member of which we
do not immediately recognise the purpose ; but we know it at once
to be a spar.
Spar deck. — (Possibly meaning "spare deck.")— (See Deck.)
Speaking trumpet. — An instrument used on shipboard for
speaking to someone at a distance or in a high wind ; and if the
amateur proposes to take his boat to sea or to visit strange waters
he will often find it useful.
Spell. — Usually a period of work allotted to a man (see also
TRICK), but it often implies merely a period; as " I shall take a
spell on deck," meaning I shall go on deck for a time." The word
is much used at sea : in its old sense it signifies taking another's
place, from whence may be derived the exclamation "Spell ho!"
meaning " time to be relieved," " time to cease," or " time to rest."
Spencer. — In square rigged vessels, a fore-and-aft gaff sail
introduced on the main-mast in place of the mizzen staysails.
They are generally attached to the gaff by hoops (like the
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
261
rrri
Spider Hoops.
mast-hoops) ; and either drawn in along the gaff or brailed up like
the sail of a barge.
Spent. — Broken or injured in sucli a manner as to be no longer
serviceable. We often hear of a spent mast or any other spar ; some-
times of a spent sail, when it is torn.
Spider Hoop. — 1. In yachts, etc., a metal hoop round the
lower part of a mast, fitted with belaying pins for the various
halyards, and often with one or two shames, to take gooseneck
joints. When there are two
shaffles, one is aft to take the
boom, the other forward for a
spinnaker boom. 2. In ships
there is another spider hoop on
those masts which are square
rigged. It is placed under the
futtock-plate and fitted with
eyes to take the shackles of the
futtoek shrouds. (See Futtock-
plate and Shrouds.)
Spile. — The name for a
short spike or pin.
Spill (of a sail). — To cause
it to cease its action, whether it be by lowering it or by so bringing
it to the wind that it no longer draws. It is found in practice, and
more especially in large vessels setting square sails, that a sail will
continue to hold wind for an appreciable time after the vessel has
been brought up head to wind ; and before a large sail is furled it
is necessary to empty it, as it were, of the wind it holds. This may
be done by bringing its side directly to the wind and letting it flap
itself free of wind, or, in other words, spill itself. With small
craft to spill is usually to lower, or partly lower, a sail.
Spinnaker (in yachts). — A racing sail of immense spread,
reaching from the topmast head to the end of the spinnaker boom,
which is a spar set out to take it. The spinnaker is set on the
weather side, that is on the side opposite to that on which the main-
sail stands, and is kept in position by guys forward and aft. It
follows from this that it can only be used in such a situation when
running : but in some instances it can be carried forward when the
boat comes on to the wind, and by taking the boom along the bow-
sprit the sail may thus be made to do service as a balloon jib ; and
in this manner it is now often employed in small craft. (See fig.
under BALLOOX CANVAS.)
Spinnaker topsail, more properly called the big topsail. — A top-
sail on the principle of a lug-sail, but the clew of which is ex-
tended on a short yard called a jack yard (which sec). It has no
connection with the spinnaker, except that it is often used at the
same time.
Spirit compass. — The modern and improved form of mariners'
262 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS.
compass, in which the card floats in spirit instead of heing balanced
on a pin.
Spirkets, spirketting. — A term in shipwrighting. (See Quick
Work. )
Spit. — A small projection of land, or a sand bank projecting at
low tide into the water. The term is common where the shores of
the sea are flat, or, again, as in " Spithead."
Spitfire. — A name sometimes given to the smallest jib-sail a boat
carries, and used only in very bad weather, or alone to steer by.
(See Jib.)
Splice. — A method of joining rope by interweaving the strands.
It is a very useful art for an amateur to acquire, and though almost
impossible to teach by description, can be easily learned. Any
fisherman will be glad, for a few shillings, to impart the information.
(See under Knots for simple splicing.) When two ends of rope are
joined by untwisting the strands of only a short part of each, the
union is thick and is called a short splice. If a long piece be un-
ravelled on each rope and the join made fine, and well beaten with
a marling spike, or any other weighty tool, so that the join may be
passed through the sheave hole of a block, it is known as a long
splice. An eye-splice is made by turning up the end of a rope, and
splicing it into the rope itself so as to form an eye at the end.
To " splice the main-brace " is one of the many metaphorical ex-
pressions used by seamen in old times. "The phrase," says Dr.
Denham Robinson, " denotes an extra allowance of spirits in cases of
cold or wet." (Brande and Cox.)
Splicing -fid. — A spike for opening the strands of a rope when splicing
Sponson, or sponsing (in paddle-wheel steam boats). — The
staging between the paddle box and the vessel's sides. It adds
strength to the paddle-box, and forms a platform upon which the
men may stand who work the springs (ropes) by which the vessel is
held at the proper distance from a quay or pier.
Spoon drift. — Spray or moving foam from the top of waves.
The result of a sudden squall, generally a white squall.
Spooning, or spooming. — Driving before a heavy gale.
Spray. — The foam of the sea thrown up by breakers or by the
water dashing against rocks, etc.
Spring. — The name given to a rope temporarily attached to a
buoy, pier, or dock, and by which a vessel or steamboat is hauled in
and held for a time. It is called after the position it occupies
with regard to the vessel, as the "forward spring," the "quarter
spring," the " after spring."
To spring is to crack or split, usually spoken of a spar, as to spring
the mast, or to spring the bowsprit.
The spring of a vessel is her elasticity under sail.
Spring a leak. — A vessel taking water by any accident is said to
spring a leak. The flags N.S. in the International Code signify " I
have sprung a leak. "
A DICTIONAKY OP SEA TERMS.
263
Fig. 1.
Spring stays are extra stays to assist the usual stays in any undue
strain.
Spring tides. — The tides at full and new moon, when
(the sun and moon heing in a line with the earth and
consequently raising the waters of the ocean to a maxi-
mum) the tides are at their highest and lowest. At
these times the tide is high approximately at 12 o'clock,
and low at 6 o'clock ; when therefore we meet with the
expression " between 12 o'clock high and 6 o'clock low
water " we know that the spring tides are meant.
Questions of law occasionally arise with regard to that
portion of the foreshore whicli lies between the low
water-mark of neap tide and that of spring tide. (See
also Lagging and Making of Tides.)
Sprit. — Sprit sail (often pronounced by the fisher-
men, as it is in Holland, — " spreet "). — The word
" sprit " is very ancient, and indeed, of Saxon origin,
meaning " to sprout " (spoken of a pole). Hence, we
have the bow-sprit, which sprouts out from the bow ; and
the sprit sail, in old ships, was set under the bowsprit,
while, in very old representations, a small mast rises
from the bowsprit, carrying that which is described as
a sprit top-sail. The sprit, in modern sailing craft, is a pole set
diagonally across a fore-and-aft sail to extend that sail by the
peak. The heel of the sprit is placed in a loop, called the
snotler, which is either suspended from the masthead, and held in
to the lower part of the mast
by a ring or grommet, — and this
is the system followed on barges
(see fig. 1) ; or, in small open
boats, it may consist simply of a
grommet fitting closely round
the mast, and over the end of
the sprit, the tension preventing
it from slipping down. (Both
of these are illustrated under
Snotter.) The head of the
sprit fits into a cringle made
to receive it at the peak of
the sail, which is thus set
up tighter as the snotter is
brought nearer to or elevated
on the mast, and vice versa.
The advantages of this rig are
that the sau, having brails
round it, may be gathered up
almost instantaneously (tig. 2,
also diagram under Brail) ;
and that, when reefing, it may Fig. 2.
264
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Fig. 3.
either be loAvered, as with boom
sails (i.e., reefed down), or reefed
upward, i.e., without lowering, as
may often be seen in hay barges
and the like.
Sprit and foresail. — The sprit
sail, as applied to small boats, is
used in conjunction with a fore-
sail, in consequence of which the
combination is called the sprit and
foresail rig (fig. 3). It was at one
time very popular, but is now dying
out except in the case of barges,
to which it is peculiarly adapted.
Sprocket. — An old name for the barrel or wheel of a capstan.
Spun yarn (pronounced by the fishermen "spuniari)." — The
fibres of old rope twisted into yarns ; in other words, a species of
string. It is used for serving, etc. When tarred it is sometimes
called whipping.
Spur.— 1. A small cleat. {See Thumb Cleat.) 2. Spurs. —
Timbers used in the launching of a vessel.
Squadron. — Part of a fleet under a flag officer. The principal
yacht club in the kingdom is called the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Squall. — A sudden gust of wind, or a sudden increase in its force.
There are white squalls, such as those met with in the Mediterranean
and Eastern seas, and black squalls, such as we are familiar with in
this country. If a beginner in the art of sailing be overtaken by a
squall he should quickly put his boat up into the wind, and lose no
time in taking in sail. On rare occasions it may be necessary to
run forward and cut the halyards ; such, however, is a last resource.
Should he see it coming, however — and there is, usually, no mis-
taking its appearance when once seen — the boat may be luffed up
and the sail lowered to meet it. It is a good rule for the amateur
to follow the professional. If he be sailing in squally weather and
within sight of beach or fishing craft, let him keep an eye on those
to windward of him. If they take in sail it is high time he should
do the same, for they know the temper of the elements better than
ever he can hope to.
Square. — Square rig. — The name given to that method of dis-
posing the sails of a ship in which they hang athwart the ship. They
are then called square sails, in contradistinction to those which hang
in the same line as the keel and are c&WeA fore-and-aft. The name
" square rigged " is given, as a general rule, to those vessels which
carry square sails, notwithstanding that they carry fore-and-aft
sails at the same time. Thus a bark, a brigantine, and a. topsail
schooner are square rigged, while a cutter, a yawl, and many
schooner-yachts are fore-and-aft rigged. And yet the discrimina-
tion must be considered somewhat arbitrary, for there are vessels
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEEMS.
265
KETCH Setting Square Sails.
wluchcarry square sails, and
even square top-sails, and
which are always described
as fore-and-aft rigged. It
was indeed at one time the
practice on cutters, sloops,
yawls, etc., all of which
we now regard as purely
fore-and-aft rigged, to set
square sails for running.
These, of course, are obso-
lete so far as yachts are con-
cerned, their place having
been taken by the spin-
naker. But they still exist
in many of the coasting
craft, notably in the ketches,
billyboys, and barges. The
ketch may often be seen
with a big lower square
sail, and on rarer occasions with one or two square topsails. These
are illustrated under the headings Ketch and Billyboy, and the
accompanying figure illustrates a vessel setting both. These are
called the square sail, or square top-sail, as the case may be, the latter
being sometimes set alone between the upper and lower caps of the mast-
head, as described under Middle Topsail.
Square stem and square stern. — A square
stem is one which meets the water at a
right angle, and a raking stem or bow that
winch meets it at an acute angle. A square
stern is a stem cut off square, that is, having
no counter, the rudder being braced to the
boat outside it. This is generally the build
of bawleys and dredging boats ; it enables
nets or dredges to be worked, if necessary,
over the stern. (See fig.)
Square knot or right knot. — Names,
among others, by which the reef-knot is sometimes called.
Squirm. — A twist in a rope is sometimes thus called.
Stability is the tendency in a boat to keep the upright, or to
return to it when careened over. Boats are designed in accordance
with the law of hydrostatics, that pressure exerted upon a liquid
surface is transmitted equally upon all parts of a body immersed.
Their form is, theoretically, such as to present a larger surface to
the pressure of the water when heeled over than when upright ; and
they are constantly tending, therefore, to preserve or regain the
natural equilibrium. Breadth, of course, will increase this tendency ;
depth furnishes a resistance to the force of wind upon sails ; while
length decreases the tendency to lateral movement, called lee-way
Square Stem and Stern.
266 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
(which see). It is in the proper application of such data that the
quality of stability — called stiffness by seamen — is obtained. (See
Stiff.)
Stage. — A gang-board with side rails, to enable persons to walk
on board a vessel alongside a quay, etc.
Staith. — A landing place in a river. The term is very common in
Norfolk.
Stanchion (sometimes called stanchard). — An upright post in
the frame of a ship. Certain stanchions support the beams in a
vessel, others are to be found along the bulwarks. (See Frame.)
The small posts sometimes seen running round the gunwale of a
launch, yacht, or part of a deck, and supporting a man-rope, are
also called stanchions.
Stand. — Stand by. — An order to be ready to do something ; as
" Stand by at the anchor," i.e., make ready to let go the anchor.
Stand clear. — Keep out of the way; as " Stand clear of the cable."
In sailing : —
To stand out, is to be sailing out from the shore.
To stand in, to be coming in towards it.
To stand on, to continue on the course.
Stand up to within & points, 4 points, etc. (See under SAILING.)
A sail is said to stand when it is lifted. Thus it may stand
well or ill.
Standing bowsprit. — A bowsprit which is fixed, such as that of a
sloop, in contradistinction to one which reeves in and out as does
that of a cutter. This is the distinguishing mark between those
two rigs. (See diagram under SLOOP. )
Standing lug. — A lugsail without a boom, or its tack made fast
by the mast. (See Lug. )
Standing part of a rope or tackle. — That part which is'made fast,
in contradistinction to the running part, whicli is the part hauled
upon.
Standing rigging. — The ropes which support masts, and the
disposition of which, therefore, is not continually being altered,
constitute that which is called standing rigging, in contradis-
tinction to «those which, being attached to the sails, are constantly
moving, and form the running rigging. Shrouds and stays consti-
tute standing rigging. The standing rigging of a cutter yacht is
as follows: — (See diagram No. 1 under RIGGING.) To the lower
mast — 1. The shrouds, which support it laterally. 2. The fore-
stay, preventing it from being drawn backward. 3. The backstays,
preventing it from going forward : these are sometimes called runners,
because they may be slackened off as the boom swings over or when
running before a wind. The jib-stay of the cutter is not, properly
speaking, a stay, being a running and not a standing rope ; but in
the sloop it takes the place of the forestay. To the topmast — ■
4. The topmast shrouds and legs. 5. The topmast forestay . 6. Top-
mast backstays, otherwise known as the preventers, used in large
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 267
yachts which carry a great press of canvas. To the bowsprit — The
bowsprit shrouds, to prevent it from bending sideways. 7. The bob-
stay, to bowse it down, in counteraction to the pull of the forestay
and topmast forestay ; and 8. The bobstay trice.
Standard. — Standard knee. — 1. In shipbuilding, a knee or
bracket placed above the object to which its horizontal arm is
bound — i.e., in an inverted position.
2. Standard. — In heraldry, a large square flag bearing the
whole of the achievements of the monarch or nobleman, as seen
in the Royal Standard of England.
Starboard. — The right-hand
side of a vessel.
Starboard tack. — A vessel is on
the starboard tack when the wind
blows from the starboard or right-
hand side. "Vessels on the port
tack give way to those on the vllkvv^k \ * rcrrtroarat
starboard tack. (See Rule of
THE Road.) This may easily be
remembered from a common expres-
sion among sailing men generally : ^^F^^k Starboard
the phrase has a double meaning, Mb8B Side
as will be seen ; it reminds one at ^^^PJ^ap^-
the same time which is the star- 0n th ^starboard Tack.
board side and which is the safest
tack to be on : — " When you are on the starboard tack you are on
the right (hand) tack."
Starboard the helm, helm a'starboard. — Put the tiller over to the
right, or starboard, side.
Starbowlines (pronounced " starbolins "). — The old name for
men on the starboard watch. (See Watches. )
Start. — To move or loosen. Also to become injured or to break.
Thus a plank which it may be desired to take out of a vessel is said
to be started when it is loosened. And if it should crack or break
through some accident, while at sea, it is said to have started.
Starting bolt. — A bolt used to drive out other bolts from a timber, etc.
Stave. — To break a hole into anything. Also to fend or guide
off some one object from another. Thus a vessel may be in collision
and have her bows or side stove in. Or she may be fortunate enough
to evade the threatened danger by pushing, or slaving, it off.
Stays. — Supports. Strong ropes, mostly of wire, supporting
spars, and more especially masts. They form part of the stand-
ing rigging of a vessel. Stays running in the direction of the
length of the vessel are called fore-and-aft stays. When they lead
across it they become shrouds, back-stays, bowsprit shrouds, etc.
Other supports answering various purposes may also be called stays,
as boom stays, counter stays, stay-pieces, etc. (Sec below.) Stays
take their names from the spars they support or from the direction in
268 A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEEMS.
which they run, as the top-mast-stay supporting the topmast ; the back-
stays, running backward, etc. The stays of a cutter yacht are de-
scribed under the heading RIGGING. Those of a large vessel are ac-
cording to the number of masts she has ; and they may be variously
disposed. Thus in old ships the fore stay runs to the end of the
bowsprit ; the main stay through a collar half-way up the foremast
to the stem head ; and the mizzen stay to a collar on the base of tbe
main-mast. In more modern vessels the fore-stay extends only to
the stem and the main stay to a collar at the base of the foremast ;
while in two-mas ted vessels a triatic stay often takes the place of
the main stay.
Boom stays. — The support of a boom to its mast. This may be
either a collar (the shuffle) on the spider-hoop to take a goose-neck
joint {which see) ; or it may be a bolster upon which a boom with
jaws may rest.
Counter stay. — A timber supporting the counter of a vessel. (Sec
diagram IV. under Frame.)
Spring stay. — In large vessels, an accessory to a principal stay,
and running nearly parallel with it.
To stay forward (of a mast). — To rake or lean forward, the
result of being pulled forward by stays. By raking masts is
understood to mean those which lean slightly backwards. To be
stayed forward is the opposite to this. (See Rake.)
In the working of a ship there are certain stays (shifting back-
stays) the positions of which require altering every time the vessel
comes about from one tack on to another. (See Tack.) And from
this circumstance a number of expressions employed in seamanship,
having reference to the tacking of a ship, have been derived. They
are as follow : —
To stay is to tack, or go about. To be in stays, or hove in stays, is
to be in the act of going about. To be slack in stays, to be slow
or unhandy in coming about, as some vessels are. Or if the vessel
comes round quickly and without trouble, she may be called handy,
or quick in stays.
To miss stays is to fail in getting about ; the result being that
the boat becomes "hung up in the wind," as it is called.
This is an accident which may occasionally happen to very long
boats, especially when the wind is light ; but it may also be
the fault of the helmsman in having put his tiller too rapidly
down, or in having failed to get sufficient way on the boat
before putting her round. When, therefore, it is desired to go about
the tiller should be put over steadily — not slowly, but deliberately,
and, as it were, to feel the boat round. This is an art which requires
a little experience, more especially as boats vary, some coming
about much more quickly than others.
To refuse stays. — Much the same as to miss stays, except that
some boats literally cannot be got round at any time. This
will hardly be the case with a sailing vessel, though she may
occasionally miss stays ; but with steam-boats under sail, as for
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 269
instance with launches rigged for occasional sailing, it is frequent
the engines having to be started to get the boat about.
Stay-sails. — Those which are set on the stays between the masts
of a ship, or as head sails. They are mostly, therefore, jib-shaped
(triangular) ; though not necessarily so, for in old ships they were
often oblong (or parallelogrammic, to be more correct) in shape ; and
being sometimes roached head and foot, presented a very curious
appearance. Even in the present day it is not uncommon to
see them shaped as a jib with the nose cut off, the luff running
on the mast. This luff is called the nock (under which heading
its appearance is also illustrated). The great use of stay sails
is to enable a vessel to sail full and yet by the wind; i.e.,
with her sails full, and yet close-hauled. (Sec Full AND By.) The
foresail of a cutter or yawl, inasmuch as it runs on the fore stay,
may be equally correctly called the forestay sail, just as the sail
more commonly known as the jib topsail is actually the topmast
forestay sail ; and besides these the schooner may set staysails be-
tween the fore and main masts. But we often see, in certain fore-
and-aft rigged coasting craft, sails answering precisely the same
purpose as staysails, though unconnected with stays. The ketch
type, for instance, sometimes sets a large triangular sail ahead of
the mizzen mast (see figure under Ketch) ; while even a barge may
occasionally be seen with a small one set on her little jigger mast.
Steady. — To keep a vessel steady is to keep her on her course
without deviation. If a helmsman receive the order " Steady !" it
will often mean that he is to keep the boat from yawing about, as
she may be liable to do in a heavy sea.
Stealer. — In shipbuilding, " a short length of plank worked in
among the other strakes to facilitate rounding off in parts of great;
curvature. " (Brande and Cox. ) A strake is a line of planking along
a vessel's side ; and one of the planks which form the strake, if short and
not reaching either stem or stem post, may also be called a stealer.
Steam launch.— (See Launch.)
Steer. — To steer is to guide a boat, whether under sail, steam, or
oars. To do this properly a steersman must be acquainted with the
theory of the helm, and should know the rule of the road. (See
Helm and Rule OP THE ROAD. ) No better rule for steering could be
given than that contained in the following comparison of helmsmen :
— " A good helmsman opposes in time the tendency of the ship to
deviate from her course by a small motion, which he relaxes as soon
as the effect is felt, thus disturbing her sailing as little as possible.
A bad helmsman gives her too much helm, and keeps her perpetually
yawing from one side to the other." (Brande and Cox.)
Steerage way. — Way sufficient to enable a boat to be steered.
(See Way.)
Steerage. — In a steamship. That part of the vessel having the
poorest accommodation, and occupied by the steerage passengers or
those paying the lowest fare. The word seems to be derived from
270 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEBMS.
the circumstance that these passengers were, in earlier times,
placed in the after or steerage part of the vessel.
Steeve. — The steeve is the angle a bowsprit makes with the
horizontal. In very early ships this member was so lifted up as to
become almost perpendicular ; in each succeeding design, however, it
continued to be lowered until it now almost approaches the horizontal.
The bowsprits of schooner yachts have often a steeve, and large
vessels nearly always ; but it is rare in small craft, the bowsprit in
them usually lying along the deck.
Stella code. — A code for signalling invented by Major A.
Stewart Harrison, of which the following will give some idea : —
" The whole arrangement is most simple, and consists of a large
board with a spot at the top (the pennant) and four spots on either
side, with convenient board space between (making nine spots in
all). These are obliterated or brought into view by a very simple
arrangement of slides, and the number and position of the spots on
the board transmit the message. " (Quoted by Winn, " The Boating
Man's Vade Mecum.'') The Stella Code can be had from the
publishers— Messrs. Brown and Son, 13, Drury Street, Glasgow —
and of all chart sellers.
Stem. — Stem, stem post, head post, or fore post. — The foremost
timber of a vessel. The stem post is united to the keel inside by
the deadwood, and outside by the stem band ; and at its head the
breast-hook binds the upper strakes of the vessel firmly to it. Just
as there is a keelson to the keel, and a sternson to the stern, so there
is, in large vessels, a sternson to the stem, which gives to it an
additional support ; and the whole is connected with the apron,
which also secures the forward end of the strakes, thus rendering the
bow, as it needs to be, a very powerful construction. (See diagrams
under FRAME.)
Stem band, stem iron, or keel band. — A band of iron connecting the
keel and stem post. (See also under Keel. )
Stem head. — The head of the stem post.
To stern a tide or current. To face it ;
or, in other words, to meet it stem-on.
Hence the meaning of the term in every-
day conversation.
Step. — A block of wood, with a hole
or recess in it, to receive the heel of a
mast. It is placed on the keelson of a
vessel. Its object is not only to take Mast Step
the heel of the mast, but to distribute
its weight over the keelson as much as possible ; and in large vessels,
where the masts are very heavy, the step stands upon an iron plate.
Stern. — The after part of a vessel.
Stern board. — 1. Sometimes a progress backwards, the result of
an accident, and occasionally dangerous to small craft. (See Stern-
way, below.)
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEHMS.
271
Stern Board.
2. The term is also used as follows : — In making way against the
wind a sailing vessel is bound to proceed in a zig-zag course ; the dis-
tance she travels between each turn being called a board. (See Tack. )
There are occasions — as, for in-
stance, when navigating a channel
— when she may go a long distance
on one board ; but, having to turn
at last and finding the wind dead
in her teeth, will be obliged, so
as to gain the other side of the
channel once more, to travel in
a somewhat backward direction,
thereby losing ground; and her
progress in this backward direc-
tion is therefore called a stern
board. In the diagram the vessel
is endeavouring to make a course
due north with the wind north-
west, and she sails within six
{mints (in explanation of which
ast term see under Sailing). She
therefore proceeds forwards in a
direction N.N.E. (i.e. 6 points
from the wind), until she comes
so near shore as to be obliged to
turn, when her next course must be in a direction W.S.W. (6 points
from the wind), which is actually going backwards, or, in other words,
she then makes a "stern board."
Stern fast. — A rope holding a vessel by the stern, just as a
head fast is one holding her by the head.
Stern post. — The post or stanchion at the stern of a vessel. It is
kept in position by the transom, and on it is hung the rudder. This
member, like the keel with its keelson, and the stem with its stem-
son, is further strengthened, in large vessels, by an inside timber
called the stemson. (See diagram under Frame.)
Stern sheets, in an open boat, are the boards covering the floor
space of the stern, just as the head-sheets cover the fore part.
These boards are sometimes kept together by under pieces and lifted
as one. Where cost is no object they are made in the form of
gratings. (See diagram under Sheet.)
Stern-way. — The way (distance) a vessel makes if carried stern
first, as in a calm or in a current, or having missed stays. But
stern-way is not lec-w&y : if a vessel sailing across the run of the
tide be carried down on it ever so far, she makes considerable
lee-way, but no stem-way.
Stevedore. — A man whose business it is to undertake the
stowage of cargo in ships.
Stiff. — Stiffness is the quality of stability possessed by a boat, or,
in other words, the capability of a boat under sail to keep the
272
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
sto/>fte</
upright or to return to it when heeled over. (See STABILITY.) It
is an exceedingly necessary quality in any vessel, for upon it depends
the safety of those who venture in her. Seamen have various ways
of expressing their admiration of a stiff craft, e.g., " as stiff as a
house," "as stiff as a church," etc.
Stirrups. — In square rig, short ropes hanging from the yards of
a square sail and holding the horse. (See HORSE. )
Stock. — 1. Of a rudder, the upper part, upon the head of
which the tiller is set. (See Rudder.) 2. Of a howsprit, that
part at the foot of it which is held hy the bitts. (See Bowsprit.)
Stomach-piece. — Another name for the apron (which see).
Stools, — The channel plates of the hackstays. (See CHANNELS.)
Stop. — A short rope used to confine a sail when furled or slopped.
{See Ties.) It may also be a small projection, as on a mast or any
other spar, to prevent anything from slipping down.
To stop. — To tie anything up temporarily, as : —
To stop a sail. — To tie it up preparatory to setting it. Sails
which are set flying, such as jibs,
a,re often tied up with a thin yarn
before hoisting ; and when hal-
yards, outhauls, etc., are all be-
layed a sharp pull on the sheets
will snap the yarn and the sail
unfolds itself. Sometimes the
sail is stopped and hoisted, but
not unstopped until required.
To stop a flag. — To tie it up. ./ a j"L* t
Sometimes this is done to make ''
it resemble a wheft for use in
signalling (as in the fig.) ; and
very generally a flag sent up on
a tall mast is stopped before
hoisting, to prevent its becoming
entangled in the rigging as it ascends.
Stopper. — Stoppering is to check or hold fast any rope.
Stopper knot. — A knot made at the end of a sheet or any other
rope to prevent it from flying out of its lead. Thus the jib and
fore-sail sheets of a small yacht, which ran aft through fair leads,
are usually stoppered with figure-of-8 knots. (See Knots.)
Storm. — A disturbance of the atmosphere. Among seafaring
men the term has but little reference to wind, but is generally
understood to mean rain or thunder and lightning.
Storm sails. — Those for use in bad weather. Such, on a yacht,
are the storm-jib, the trysail, etc.
Storm signal. — A signal, consisting of a cone, made at the various
stations of the Meteorological Office in forecast of weather to be
expected. (See Signals.)
Storm wave. — A wave which comes rolling in without wind. It
is said to mark the recent occurrence of a gale in some distant locality.
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS. 273
Stove. — {See Stave.) — A vessel is stove in when she has heen
bilged or broken into.
Stow. — Stowage is the room in a vessel for cargo, and to stow
the cargo is to pack it so that it will not shift as she rolls.
To stow away anything is to put it in a safe place for future use.
To stow away a boat is the same as to trim her down after a sail ;
that is, to take in her sails, furl them, or stow them away, and to
do all that will leave her in a condition ready to be taken out again
at short notice.
Stow-boat fishing, commonly called stow-boating . — A method of
taking sprats in large quantities very much practised in the estuary
of the Thames and along the East Coast. The fish thus taken are
sold at prices varying, according to demand, from five or six shillings
to as low as 4£d. per bushel, the smaller sums being paid for those
sold as manure, for which they were at one time largely used,
especially for hops, and are still, to a certain extent. The stow-
boat net goes with two beams, which are kept square by anchors.
To these a huge bag net is fixed, the mesh of which is extremely
small. The fishermen say they have sometimes taken as many as
300 bushels of sprats in a tide.
Strain bands.— Extra bands of canvas, usually only seen on
large square sails, to give the same support to the bunt of the sail as
the bolt-ropes do to the leeches i
Strake (often pronounced " streak, " from which, indeed, it is
not impossible that the name is derived). — A strake is a line of
planking extending the length of a vessel. It is needless to say that
a single plank cannot extend the entire length of a vessel, and
that a continuous line of planks must, therefore, be employed to
effect this : it is this line of several planks which forms one strake.
Strakes are variously named according to their position, as, for
instance —
Garboard strakes. — The lowest strakes of a vessel, being on the
outside, next the keel. In small boats, the keel and garboard
strakes are sometimes of one piece. {See Framk.)
Limber strakes. — The lowest strakes on the inside, running,
therefore, beneath the limbers.
Sheer strakes. — Those immediately below the sheer ; they are of
thick planking.
Thick strakes are placed at different heights on the sides.
Black strakes run along the flat sides of the vessel, outside.
Wash strake. — The name sometimes given to a weather board
{which see).
The uppermost strake of a vessel is stronger than the rest, and is
called the wale. In an open boat it is the saxboard.
In clinker-built boats the strakes overlap ; in carvel, they meet in
a smooth join. There is not much to choose between the two styles
of building, each having its own advantages in its proper place ; but
with many amateurs carvel is the more popular, and instances are
not altogether unique in which a person having a clinker-built boat
T
274
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
for sale has filled in the over-lapping of the strakes so as to imitate
carvel — a process called doubling. Doubling is useful enough in
renovating old boats, but the beginner in boat-buying will do well
to assure himself that a doubled boat is not being palmed off on him
as a carvel-built one.
Strand (of a rope). — Threads of yarn twisted into a loose string.
Strands compose ropes, just as the yarns compose strands. Three
strands form a rope, though more may be employed.
Stranded.—!. (Of a ship.) A'ground. Said of a vessel when she
has been left by the tide. 2. (Of a rope). When one or more
strands are broken, or worn through.
Strap. — -An iron bar, forming a break to any machine in work,
as a capstan. The grommet or band round a block, whether of rope
or iron, is sometimes called the strap, but more often the strop.
Stratus. — A low cloud usually hanging in horizontal bands over
the horizon.
Cirro stratus, a cloud of the same description as the above, but
lying higher. (See also ClRRUS.)
Stream. — The most rapid part of a tide or current.
Stream anchor. — An anchor carried by large vessels, less than the
bowers, but more powerful than
hedges. It evidently derives its
name from the fact that it is
sufficient to hold the ship against
the run of a stream without the
necessity of dropping the bower
anchor.
Streamer.— A very long and
narrow flag.
Stress. — Hard pressure. The
word is an abbreviation of " dis-
tress, " and from this a vessel may
besaid to put intoaharbour under
stress of weather.
Stretch. — Another name for
a board, in tacking. (See Tack.)
To stretch. — To reach ; or, in
other words, to sail by the wind —
i.e., with the wind ahead of the
beam, but it may also mean to
sail thus under a great crowd or
stretch of canvas.
Stretcher (in a row boat). —
The movable piece of board, or
it may be only a stick, against
which a rower presses his feet.
These are of various forms, ac-
cording to the class of boat in Stretchers and Guides.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 275
-which they occur. No. 1, in the figures, shows a simple and very
common method employed in open boats round the coast. No. 2 is
a, style often found in Thames skiffs, up-river. No. 3 is the practice
followed in best boats (racing out-riggers) : the sculler slips his
feet, sometimes without taking off his shoes, into the large boots
(which are a fixture), and laces them loosely up. But the beginner
may sometimes find himself in a rough boat without stretchers. In
such a case a useful substitute may be fashioned by taking a clove-
hitch with the painter, at the right distance, round almost any piece
of wood or iron (No. 4 in the fig.). Or if nothing can be found,
the painter itself may do duty by simply bringing it under and
taking a clove-hitch with it round the thwart, allowing, of course,
sufficient length in the bight for the legs to get a purchase (No. 5).
Stretcher guides. — The notches, grooves, or any other agents, by
■which a stretcher is held in place. These guides are so designed
that the rower may move the stretcher forward or back as required.
Their form wall be understood by reference to the figures.
Strike. — To take down. Spoken of a mast or sail, as to strike
the topmast — i.e., to lower it.
To strike the flag, also to lower it, but permanently ; not simply
to lower and re-hoist as in saluting : — that is dipping.
To strike sail. — The term is used by St. Luke, "and fearing lest
they should fall into the quicksands they stroke sail, and so were
driven'' (Acts, xxvii. 17). Thus they " scudded " before the wind
under bare poles.
String. — Sometimes the highest strake within the ship. (See
Strake.)
Stringers. — Strengthening timbers running along the inside
of a boat at various distances up the sides. Their true office
is to assist in bracing the heads (ribs) together. The extra stout
stringer upon which the thwarts (seats) of an open boat are placed is
called the wiring. (See diagrams under FRAME.)
Strip. — To dismantle.
Stripped to the girt line. — An expression signifying that a vessel
has been completely stripped.
Strip to the buff. — Among rowing men and athletes, to completely
undress down to the waist. Professional scullers usually " strip to'
the buff " for their matches during hot weather.
Stroke. — In rowing, the force used in propelling a boat
through the water is called the stroke : and this action may be
divided into two motions, 1 . The stroke proper, and 2, the recovery ;
the first being the pulling of the oar through the water, and the
second the thrusting of the arms forward in preparation for another
stroke.
Stroke. — In a boat, the sternmost rower, and he who sets the stroke
for all the others, is called the stroke. In an eight-oared boat he is"
No. 8, but is never spoken of as such, his title being " Stroke," and
•as such he is always addressed. So, likewise, the headmost rower,'
T 2
276
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEEMS.
though his position is No. 1, is always known as "bow"; but r all
the others answer to their numbers only. Thus the composition of
an eight-oar is as follows : — Bow (1), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Stroke (8),
Coxswain. -
Stroke side. — The side upon which the stroke man puts out hi&
oar; that is, on his right-hand side. The terms starboard and port
are never used in rowing ; the bow-side and stroke-side being spoken
of instead. The stroke side is, therefore, the port side. {See
figure under Bow.)
Strong breeze. — A term signifying a certain measure of strength
of wind. (See under WINDS.)
Strop.— An iron or rope band or grommet. Sometimes it is a
rope for hitching a tackle to, but usually we hear of the strop of a
block, the band round the shell of the block which holds the entire
thing together.
Stud.— A short bar through the link in a stud-link chain, which
is a species of chain much used by large vessels because of its great
superiority of strength over other kinds of chain. (See figure under
Chain.)
Studsail, or ringtail
(pronounced "studs'l, "
evidently only an altera-
tion of "stuns'l," itself
an abbreviation of stud-
ding sail). — A narrow
sail like the studding
sail, run out beyond the
leech of the mainsail of a
racing cutter. (See fig.)
It forms part of thepress
canvas (which see) of a
large yacht, but is not
often employed.
Studding - sails. —
" In square rig, narrow
supplementary sails run
out on small booms be-
yond the leeches of the principal square sails. Although ^not of
great power from their size, they exert considerable force on the
ship's movements from the leverage which their distance from the
mast, as centre, gives them." (Brande and Cox.) (See fig.)
Sugg. — To rock heavily on a bank or reef.
Suit (of sails). — A set of sails. Thus a yacht may have several
suits, as a suit of racing canvas, of cruising, or of storm sails.
Supercargo. — A person superintending transactions relating to
a vessel's cargo.
Surf. — The breaking of the sea into short quick waves over
shallow places.
Water ,
sad
x Stud$a/ti
Studding-sails and Studsail.
A DICTIONABY OF SEA TERMS. 277
Surge. — The swell of the sea.
To surge a rope. — To slacken it suddenly, where it goes round a
pin, windlass, etc.
Surge hoi — Notice given that a rope is about to he surged.
Sutiles. — Ancient cobles made of strong staves sewed together
and covered with leather or skin. (See Coracle.)
Swab.— A mop.
Swagg. — Synonymous with sag — i.e., to sink down by its own
weight. (See Sag.) The sag of a rope is the bellying or drop when
it is extended.
Swallow. — The score in a block in which the sheave runs. (See
Block.)
Swalloio-tailed. — The shape of the flag called the burgee (which
see), though not that flown by the ordinary members of a yacht-
club. It ends in two tails.
Swamp. — To be swamped is to be filled with water ; but not
necessarily to sink.
Swap. — A mop. The same as a swab. Also to exchange.
Swash, (often pronounced " swatch "). — A shoal in a tideway,
usually found at the mouth of a river.
Swash way. — A channel across a swash or among several shoals.
It is the result of a peculiar set of the tide, which also keeps it from
silting up. There is an important swash way between the Goodwin
Sands. Another runs round the Nore Sand in the estuary of the
Thames, and is sufficiently deep to admit of the largest vessels enter-
ing by it into the river Medway, and on the opposite shore again
there is a permanent swash way not less than two miles in length,
navigable for fishing craft, even at the lowest tides, almost up to
the town of Leigh. A swash way is often called merely a swash or
swatch, as the " Leigh swash " just mentioned.
Swathe. — The entire length of a sea wave.
Sway. — To hoist. To sway a yard or any other spar is to haul
it up.
Sweat. — To siveat up. — To haul up tight, or to swig upon, as
halyards are swigged upon or " sweated up. " (See Swig. )
Sweater. — A thick jersey or vest used by rowing men when in
training. Being very warm it conduces to perspiration or sweat ;
and it is by this means that men get down superfluous fat.
Sweep. — Sweeps are very long and heavy oars, for occasional use
on board a sailing boat, as, for instance, to get her round should she
" miss stays, " or to get her along in a calm. River lighters are
mostly steered by sweeps, as they are carried up or down on the
tide ; and this is called sweeping " — hence, to sweep up or down a
river. Until comparatively recent years, even tolerably large
sailing vessels, such as brigs and schooners, carried sweeps, more
especially, it would appear, in case of being chased by an enemy.
Thus the combined oars and sails of the ancients may be said to
278 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
have survived almost to our own day. But the introduction of
steam has completely altered the entire system of the sea. (For the
names of the various parts of a sweep see Oar.)
The sweep of the tiller. — The circle it describes when brought
from one side of a vessel to the other.
To sweep for anything lost at the bottom of the water, is to drag
for it with a rope. Usually two boats are employed in doing this,
each taking one end of the rope, and a weight being attached to it
about midway to sink it.
Swell.— An undulating motion of water, at sea always felt after
a gale. A swell must be distinguished from a wash, as from a-
passing steam vessel. (See Ground Swell and Wash.)
Swell in, or take up. — To become water-tight. Spoken of the
planks of a boat which will let in the water when she has been laid
up for any length of time, but which will, when she is returned to
the water, swell in after a few days.
Swift. — To tighten up, as to " swift in the shrouds."
To swift a vessel. — 1. To ground her preparatory to careening her
for examination. 2. The art of careening her over. Either of these,
or the whole operation, appears to answer to the term swifting.
To swift a ship by the hull appears to be something akin to the
ancient J 'rapping " (which see). It consists in passing cables round
the hull. Smyth describes this as the " undergirdling " spoken of by
St. Paul, while Falconer and others place that under frapping.
Swifters. — Extra stays, usually forward of those which they
assist, as the backstay fore swifters in a big ship. Certain ships
are found to require an extra pair of shrouds, set forward of the
usual ones, and these are called swifters.
Swig. — To give the final pull on a purchase. Thus halyards,
when the sails have been hauled up, are swigged upon by men laying
all their weight upon them in sudden jerks and thus getting them a
little tighter. This is also called sweating them up : it is always-
done in yachts. It is important to the beginner to know that the
halyard of a lug-sail should not be swigged upon after the tack of
the sail has been drawn down.
Swing. — Sometimes this has the same meaning as to sway ; as,
for instance, to "swing a yard," which is the same as to "sway"
or hoist it.
Swing on the tide. — A vessel at anchor stoings when she changes
her position at the turn of the tide.
Stoing (in rowing parlance). — The swing of a crew is the motion
resulting from the long, steady stroke-and-recovery of all the
rowers together in good time. It is thought that nothing tends
to increase and retain the speed of a boat so much as a good
swing. A jerky stroke destroys the swing, and consequently
reduces the speed.
Swinging boom. — " The spar which stretches the foot of a lower
studding sail ; in large ships they have goosenecks in one end, which
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TE11MS.
279
liook to the foremost part of the
forechains to iron strops fitted for
the purpose. " ( S myth . )
Swivel. — An instrument con-
sisting of a pin revolving in a link.
Swivels are fitted between lengths
of chain to prevent the chain from
kinking. They are used in cables
to connect two or more anchors
with the main cable in the manner
described under Hawse. They
have also a number of uses on
shipboard. (See fig.)
Stoivel-rowlocks. — Those working
in a swivel. (See tig.)
Syren. — The name sometimes
given to a steam-boat's fog horn. .
Swivels.
Tab (of a sail). — The tab or tabbing is a broad piece of hemming
on the edge of the sail, to strengthen it where bolt-hooks are
situated. (See diagrams under Sail.)
Tabernacle. — A housing or case on the deck of such vessels as
have lowering masts. They are to be seen in barges, and occa-
sionally in river yachts ; and have sometimes been employed to
lengthen a mast by stepping it on deck instead of on the kelson.
(See diagrams under Mast.)
Tack, stay in stays, wind, go abont, beat, beat to
windward, or work to windward.. — All these terms are to a
certain extent synonymous ; but under the term tack is included
several meanings.
To tack (in sailing) is to perform the evolution called " Tacking "
(See below).
The tack of a sail is the forward lower corner ; also called the
weather-clew. (See under Sail and Clew.)
A tack is also a small rope by which this same weather clew is
held down. On a balance lug sail it is fitted to the boom some way
aft of the foremost end ; in other cases it may be attached to the tack
of the sail itself.
Tack purchase or gun tackle purchase. — The tackle applied to the
tack of a fore-and-aft mainsail.
Tack pins or jack pins. — Belaying pins in &fife rail, etc. (See PlN.)
Tack trice or tack tricing line. — The rope which trices up the tack
of a sail.
To tack (in sailing) is to change the course of a vessel from one
direction, or tack, to another, by bringing her head to the wind and
letting the wind fill her sails on the other side ; the object being to
make progress against the wind. It follows, then, that to tack her
must be to turn her round, or, in other words, to go about: and as
280 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
this must be done by bringing her head to wind, the operation is
also very often called winding. To perform this, in large vessels,
it is necessary to alter various stays, and hence, as the ship comes
about, she may just as correctly be said to be staying, or in stays,
while, if she fall to come round, she will be said to have missed
stays. If a vessel miss stays, and cannot be east one way or
the other, she is said to be in irons, or hung up in the wind.
To go about, tack, wind, stay, or be in stays, are, therefore,
terms all signifying the same act of bringing a vessel from one
tack to another, head to wind, which is the direct opposite to
wearing her. (See WEAR.) A vessel, then, is said to be tacking
when she keeps changing her course from one tack to the other ;
and the distance she makes each time she stands on one tack (that
is each time she continues in a straight line without coming about)
is called a board or stretch. This she will only do when the wind
is against her; and, therefore, if tacking, it follows that she must
be beating against the wind, or, in other words, beating to wind-
ward. And as this is a performance often attended with difficulty,
and always in a manner entailing a good deal of work on board, it
is, as often as not, called working to windward or pegging to wind-
ward. To beat or work to windward, or to beat up against the
wind, are, then, practically the same as tacking. Now, there can
be but two tacks (as there are but two sides to a vessel, viz., the
starboard or right-hand and the port or left hand), called Starboard-
tack or Port-tack according to the side from which the wind blows.
(See Starboard Tack and Port Tack.) It is, therefore, upon
these tacks that the Rules of the Road are founded, and with
which every person intending to take up boat-sailing should
become familiar.
A boat when tacking will not bear anything like the same press
of canvas as when sailing large. It is necessary, therefore, in a
stiff breeze, before coming round to tack, to shorten sail.
Tackle (Dutch takel ; and pronounced by us " tay-kle "). — A
purchase formed by the combination of a rope with two or more
blocks.
The various parts of a tackle are as follow : — The rope is termed
the fall ; the pulley wheels are called sheaves ; and the case which
contains these the block. When a tackle is in use one end of the
fall (rope) is made fast and called the standing end ; the other is
hauled upon and called the running end ; but in every -day conver-
sation that part of the rope which is hauled upon is often called the
fall. Where a tackle is applied to a halyard (which is usually the
case), that part of the rope which hangs between the blocks is called
the pendant, and the part hauled upon the fall. (See under Pendant. )
A simple tackle consists of one or more pulleys with a single rope.
The chief simple tackles are : —
The whip. — A purchase consisting of only a single pulley, and
therefore not, properly speaking, a tackle ; but when whip is placed
upon whip then it becomes a true one. (See Whip upon Whip.)
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 281
Gun tackle. — " A system of pulleys consisting of two single blocks,
one movable, the other fixed, the standing end of the fall being made
fast to the movable block. It increases the power three-fold."
Gun tackle. — " A system of pulleys consisting of a double and
triple block, the standing end of the fall being made fast to the
double block, which is movable. It increases the power five-fold."
But besides these there are many combinations in use, as the jigger
tackle, which is one with a movable tail-block ; and luff tackle, used
on various occasions to assist other tackles, and on ships to " suc-
cour " the tackles attached to the tacks of square sails, and others.
Tackle upon tackle, or a combination of tackles, is the application
of a simple tackle to the running end of another as often as neces-
sary, the result of their combined actions being found by multi-
plying together the values of the several simple tackles.
Overhauling a tackle is separating the blocks after they have been
fleeted ; that is, brought close together, and their action thereby
rendered void.
Taffrail, or taffarel.— The stern- * "
most rail of a vessel ; that is, the rail
round the stern. Hence the sternmost
part, or rim, of the vessel is often under-
stood when the taffrail is spoken of.
Tail. — Tail block. — A block having Taffrail.
a rope strop (band) which is extended
into a " tail " so that the block may be tied on to anything. It is
sometimes called a. jigger-block. One leg of the tail is usually longe*
than the other.
Tail on. — 1. To attach ; as to clap on a rope to some other. 2. A
ship aground by the stern is said to be tail on.
Tail up or down. — Spoken of a ship at anchor, and describing the
direction in which she lies. Thus if she be at anchor in a river and
the tide be rising she will lie tail up because her stern, or "tail,"
will point up.
Take. — Take charge. — A boat is said to take charge when she
suddenly runs up into the wind, or can no longer be kept from
doing so. The term is much used.
Take in sail. — To reduce sail, either by reefing or by taking
some sail altogether off. The latter meaning is more generally
understood by the term.
Take up, or swell in. — When a boat has been laid up for any
length of time she may, when first put into the water, be leaky,
if she does not nearly sink. This will be the result of her planks
having shrunk ; but in time they will swell in or take up, as is
sometimes said, and she will become watertight.
Taking off tides. — Lessening tides : i.e. , the tides as they occur after
full and new moon. (See Making and Lagging of the Tides.)
Tallant.— " The upper hance or break of the rudder abaft."
(Smyth.)
282 A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS.
Tally. — A word properly used in commerce, and very generally
at sea. To agree with the account of another person, on comparison
with one's own (generally with regard to numbers), is to tally.
The ancient practice of cutting notches in sticks, one stick being
given to each party to a transaction, is regarded as the origin of our
system of tallying.
Tally (on shipboard). — To haul both sheets aft, as for running
before the wind, thus—" Taut aft, the sheets they tally, and belay.' r
(Falconer's " Shipwreck.")
Tan. (for the preservation of sails). — A decoction of kutch or
catechu with ochre, or some other colouring matter, strained after
boiling. Sails may be steeped in this for several hours, after which
they are washed and dried. The process of tanning is said to give
several years of extra wear to sails.
Taper (of a rope). — Rat-tailed: that is, diminishing towards a
point. Ropes may be tapered and whipped so as to enable them
to pass easily through eyes, etc.
Tar. — This material is obtained in the distillation of various
organic matters. There are three sorts of tar — wood, coal, and
Stockholm. The residue from the distillation of tar is pitch.
Tarpaulin. — Canvas well covered with tar or paint. The
water-proof clothes worn by fishermen and sailors in foul weather
(see Oil-skins) are often*called tarpaulins, and rightly so, for
they are often saturated with tar or paint instead of with oil.
Taunt. — Spoken of the masts and spars of a vessel when very
liigh. When all her light and long spars are aloft she is said to be
all a' taunt.
Taut, or taught. — The seaman's pronunciation of the word
"tight." But it has a much fuller meaning at sea, and often
expresses neatness ; properly disposed ; prepared for any emergency,
etc.
Taut bowline. — A ship is described as sailing with a taut bow-
line when she is close-hauled to the wind, because in that situation
her bowlines (being ropes which draw the leeches of square sails for-
ward) are hauled tight.
Taut helm. — When a vessel carries much weather helm, she is
said to have a taut helm.
Taut leech. — A sail well filled and standing flat is said to " hold a
taut leech."
Tell-tale. — Generally speaking, an instrument by which a
person can obtain certain records. Thus an inverted compass swing-
ing on the ceiling of a cabin tells the tale of a ship's course ; or a
dial plate on the wheel shows the position of the tiller.
Tell-tale shake.—' 1 The shake of a rope from aloft, to denote that
it wants letting go." (Smyth.)
Tend. — I. To have a tendency ; as " she tends to bury her
head." 2. The swing of a vessel on the tide is her tend ; as " she
is tending up. "
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEltMS.
283
Tender. — A small vessel employed to attend a larger one.
Tenon. — Any piece of material so cut as to fit into a mortise.
Thus the square tongue cut on the heel of a mast to fit into the
step is the tenon or tongue.
Tew.— To beat hemp. (Smyth.)
Thames Conservancy. — The common appellation for the Con-
servators of the Thames t "a body of modern creation, representing
the Imperial Government, the city of London and the commercial
interest of the river, and exercising the general powers of harbour
and conservancy board over the lower liver and estuary, as well as
those of conservancy on the upper river as far as Cricklade." The
office of the Thames Conservancy is on the Thames Embankment,
Blackfriars Bridge.
Thaughts.— (See Thwarts.) ,
Thick. — Thick-and-thin block. — A block
taking two sizes of rope. {See also Fiddle
Block.)
Thick strakes (in shipbuilding). — Strakes
(lines of planking) along a ship's sides which
are thicker than the rest. (See Strake.)
Thick staff (in shipbuilding). — Thick timber.
Thimble. — A small metal eye or ring, con-
cave on its outer diameter, so that a rope may
be brought round it and spliced. A thimble is
usually inserted into such loops as are liable to
get quickly worn, as, for instance, where a lan-
yard passes tlirough them ; or in the reef-eyes of
sails, through which the reef-
points are rove. But thimbles
are not necessarily round : they
may be roughly triangular or
"thimble shaped," when thev
are called thimble-eyes, which
are also thimble-shaped holes
in iron plates where sheaves are
not required. They are often
used instead of dead-eyes in
small craft.
Tholes (otherwise thole-
pins, or thowels ; Anglo-Saxon
thol). — Pegs fitted into holes
in a boat's gunwale, and be-
tween which oars are placed
while rowing. They are, practi-
cally, but a form of rowlock,
and are to be seen more particu-
larly in sea boats ; their chief
advantage being that they may
be removed when necessary. Tholes.
Thimbles.
284
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
(See Rowlocks.) In some waters, more particularly abroad, only
one thole -pin is employed, to which the oar is either loosely held by
a grommet of rope, or the fulcrum of the oar is so enlarged that a
bole may be bored through it, and this hole is dropped over the
pin. (iSee fig.)
Thorough, put. — " A tangle in the ropes of a tackle." It is, in
fact, a thorough mess.
Thrash.. — A boat is sometimes said to be " thrashing along "
when she is ploughing through the water either at a high rate of
speed, or apparently so, either close-hauled or reaching.
Three. — Three-masted schooner. — A rig which appears to have
originated in America. Every mast is fore-and-aft rigged, which
enables the vessel to sail very close to the wind, and to come about
quickly. When square topsails are added to the foremast the rig is
called jack-ass, and approaches the barkentine, but is to be dis-
tinguished from it by the composition of the foremast. {See under
Schooner.)
" Three half-hitches are more than a king's yacht wants." An old
expression. It signifies that in making fast by half-hitches, two
are sufficient, and three, therefore, quite unnecessary. It is a hint
to the landsman not to waste his time or his rope in making more
knots than are required.
" Three sheets in the wind." — A very common expression for a man
slightly intoxicated. It would appear that there must be definable
degrees of drunkenness, and that, under the rule, the condition of
three sheets in the wind is one degree less advanced than that of
half seas over (which see).
Three-square. — Another name for jib-shaped, i.e., triangular.
Throat. — 1. That part of a boom or gaff
immediately behind the jaws. It is some-
times called the neck. To it, on a gaff, is
attached the throat halyard, which elevates
the throat while the peak halyards are lifting
the peak (see below) ; and under the throat
is attached another rope called the tricing
line, which serves to pull or trice up the luff
of the sail, so as quickly to reduce the area <L
it presents to the wind. 2. The forward vy/
part of the head of a gaff sail is also called
the throat. (See SAIL.) 3. The word throat
is also used in shipbuilding to describe such
parts of any timbers as are narrowed down
to a neck.
Throat halyard. — The halyard which ele-
vates the throat of a gaff. In fore-and-aft
rig it is often called the main halyard, from
the fact that it is the principal halyard on
the main mast, just as " mizzen halyard " Throat.
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS. 285
will mean mizzen throat halyard because it is the principal halyard
on the mizzen mabt. But when spoken of in the same connection
with other halyards belonging to the same spar, the distinguishing
term " throat " would be used, as, for example, the mainsail having
been hoisted, the order might be given : " Belay the throat halyard
and set up on the peak." Spoken of in conjunction, the halyards
lifting the mainsail are called the gaff halyards, because they act
upon the gaff. The throat halyard in small craft is fastened to a
ring at the throat of the gaff, and after passing through a block
at the mast head, comes down on deck and is belayed, usually on
the starboard (right hand) side of the mast.
Throt. — On full-rigged ships, that part of the mizzen yard which
is close to the mast is sometimes called the throt. It is equivalent
to throat.
Through fastenings (in shipbuilding). — Bolts or treenails
driven through both the planks and timbers of a vessel.
Thrum. — The material for thrumming. Any coarse woollen or
hempen yarn.
Thrumming. — To stop a leak by working a portion of thrum well
greased and tarred, and contained in a piece of heavy sail cloth,
under the vessel by means of ropes, until it reaches the leak, when
it is hauled taut and left. The pressure of the water forces the
tarred thrum into any openings, and thus the leak is gradually
filled, or at least sufficiently so to stop any serious ingress of water.
But thrumming is often done with simple yarn, ungreased, and by
some is held to be far more efficacious thus.
Thumb cleat. — A small cleat, resembling a man's thumb.
These are often fitted to spars, masts, etc. {See fig. under Cleat.)
Thwart. — A 'thwart means across ; and in a boat the seats are
called the thwarts, because they are placed across, or a'thwart, the
boat. The thwarts are secured by knees to a wiring clamp (a short
stringer) which lies on the bent heads (ribs) of the boat. Their
office is somewhat akin to that of the beams of a ship, for they
carry such weight as is placed on the upper part of the boat.
Thwartships. — Across the ship or boat.
Thwart-marks to a harbour. — " Two objects on the land which,
brought into line with each other, mark the safe course between
shoals ; as those on Southsea Common act for the Needles, swash-
ways, etc." (Smyth.) Some suppose that the pinnacles which so
often cap the corner buttresses of the square church towers of the
15th and 16th centuries have a like purpose. But although these
may, and in some instances undoubtedly do, guide the coaster on
approaching the shore, it appears improbable that they can have
been erected for such a purpose expressly, since they are by no
means peculiar to the sea board.
Tide (See Lagging of Tides, Making of Tides, Spring
Tides, Neap Tides). — Tide rip, race, or whorl. — Short ripplings
which result from eddies or the passage over uneven bottoms ; also
286
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
observed in the ocean where two currents meet, but not appearing
to affect a ship's course. (Smyth.)
Tide-rode. — A vessel at anchor in a tide way is said to lie
tide-rode.
Tide way. — The mid-stream of the tide.
Tide under the lee. — A tide running up against the lee side of a
vessel when she is sailing across it. {See Lee. )
Head tide. — A tide a'head ; that is against the course of a vessel.
Tide and half tide. — " The turn of the tidal stream off shore is
seldom coincident with the time of high and low water on shore.
In open channels, the tidal stream ordinarily overruns the turn of
the vertical movement of the tide by three hours, forming what is
usually known as tide and half-tide, the effect of which is that at
high and low water by the shore the stream is running at its
greatest velocity." (Lloyd's " Seaman's Almanac," 1897.)
Tier. — 1. A species of fender, made up of old rope. 2. The hollow
space in the middle of a coil of rope. 3. In old ships, the batteiy
of guns on one side of a ship.
Ties, or stops. — Short ropes which are used to confine a sail to its
yard or gaff when furled. They are also called gaskets and furling
lines. (See also under Stop.)
Tiffin. — One of the meals supplied to the officers on board a
merchant or mail ship. It is a sort of " high tea."
Tight. — Spoken of a boat, it means that she is free from leakage.
In any other sense the word as used at sea becomes " taut " (which
■see).
Tiller. — One of the component parts of the helm. (See Helm. ) It
is the handle, or beam, at the head of the rudder, and by which that
member is worked. In small boats it is a mere bar worked by hand ;
in large ones it is worked by a wheel ; and in long open boats, where
the steersman sits too far amidships to work it, it changes its form
into a yoke, or plate, which is
worked by lines, called yoke-
lines or rudder-lines. The
tiller of small craft may be of
iron or of wood, and is some-
times decorated with carving
at the head, that is the end
furthest from the rudder. It
fits either over or through the
rudder stock. If there is any
impediment, on deck, to its
sweep round it is bent either
upwards or downwards; and
sometimes, where a mizzen mast stands between the rudder and the
tiller head, the tiller makes a deep bend and return so as to clear
it ; the form of these bends will be seen in the figure under Rudder.
The bar and yoke may also be combined in the manner shown in
Tiller and Yoke.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 287
the same figure. It is a plan sometimes applied to boats, pointed
bow and stem, in which a long space exists between the rudder and
the helmsman's seat ; its object being to do away with the necessity
of handling rudder lines. It applies naturally to sailing boats (in
■which rudder lines are very awkward), and can only be carried out
in those which are decked in fore and aft. The principle is very
simple ; the rudder retains its yoke, and a second yoke is fitted to
a, pivot on the deck near the helmsman, this second yoke being
worked by a short tiller ; but the rudder lines which connect these
two yokes must in this case be of iron. For further remarks on the
subject refer to Helm and Rudder.
Sweep of the tiller. — The circle the head makes in travelling round.
Tilt. — This word, whether used afloat or ashore, generally means
a cover of canvas or of some like material. So, the cover of a boat
is occasionally called the tilt, as also may be the small awning over
the well of a yacht.
Timbers. — This is a collective term applied to the various
members employed in the building of a vessel, such as beams, ribs,
floors, etc. But when " timbers are spoken of without further
specification the term often means the ribs only.
Timber heads. — The heads of the ribs of a vessel.
Timber hitch. — A useful knot for taking a hasty hold on some
bollard, or post. (See Knots.)
Timber space (in shipbuilding). — Distance between timbers. The
same as Room and Space.
Time. — 1. Time allowance, in yacht and sailing-boat racing, is
the foundation for handicapping. A large craft allows time to a
smaller one, so that they may compete on equal terms. This allow-
ance is calculated in seconds per mile, according to rules adopted by
any particular club, or on the new system of linear measurement
<1896). (-See under Rating.)
2. Time, in rowing, is the space of time occupied between each
stroke of the rowers. When all swing together they are said to
keep good time; when they dip unevenly, that is, one before or
after another, the time is called bad, and the crew may then be
justly described as "wild." In this latter case, the coxswain or
the coach would call out " Time!" — meaning this as an expostula-
tion or as an order to keep time.
Tingle. — A patch put on over the outside (or inside) of a broken
plank in a boat ; it must be distinguished from a patch let in, which is
not a tingl e . Tingles may be of wood
or lead ; the first is more general,
the latter more serviceable, except
where the boat has much beaching,
for it cannot split. Tingles are usu-
ally nailed on over strips of thick _ 1
paper or canvas previously saturated
in tar, varnish or linseed oil. Tingles.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Whelk tingle, otherwise called dog whelk. — A mollusc which hores
through the shells of others. (See Whelk. )
Toggle and becket. — A toggle is a short piece of wood
intended to pass through an eye at the end of a rope : it is-
grooved about the middle so that the rope may Becket
not slip off it. A becket is a small eye at the °$S e J "" f~p%? J
end of a rope, sometimes intended to hold a
toggle, sometimes large enough for the toggle
to pass loosely through. When a rope or lan-
yard is furnished with a toggle at one end and
a becket (or eye) at the other, the combination
is called a toggle and becket, and becomes a
very useful little agent, employed on number-
less occasions, as, for instance, for hastily confining sails when furled,
for holding a sail cover over a boom, for temporarily holding a
tiller, etc.
A sny is a small toggle attached to a flag whereby it may be
bent to its halyard without tying. (Sec SNY.)
Tom. — Tom Collins, whether or no. — An old expression of positive
assertion. It may mean, literally, " Such is the case, whatever may
be said to the contrary."
lorn Pepper. — " A term for a liar ; he having, according to
nautical tradition, been kicked out of the nether regions for
indulging in falsehood." (Smyth.)
Ton. — Tonnage — The measure of a ship's internal dimensions,
as the basis of a standard for dues, etc. The term appears to have
originated from the tun cask of wine and to have meant the number
of such tuns which the ship could carry. At a later period the ton,
as a term of space, was 40 cubic feet. The measurement of yachts
was given in tonnage until recent years, when the word rate took
its place for all racing purposes. For a history of tonnage see
Lloyd's "Seaman's Almanac."
Tongue. — 1. In shipbuilding, the long tapered end of one
piece of timber made to fall into a scarf at the end of another
piece to gain length. 2. A low or sunken sand, as that in the
Thames estuary (off Margate) marked by the lightship known as
The Tongue.
Top. — I. That portion of a mast from the hounds upwards. 2-
(In old ships. ) A sort of platform placed on the head of the lower
mast.
To top. — To raise one end of a yard or boom by means of a
rope called the topping lift ; in old ships the free traverse of the
square sails about the mast was often interrupted by stays, thus
necessitating that the yards or booms should be topped as the ship
came about. In the modern rigs, however, this is vo a great extent
obviated ; and the topping lift belongs now, more particularly, to
a gaff-sail, sucb as the main sail of a cutter, a yawl and other
fore-and-aft rigged craft. In sails of this description a topping-lift
A' DICTIONAKY OP SEA TERMS. 289
is a halyard used to elevate the after end of a boom, which is
<alled topping the boom, and is necessary under various circum-
stances, as in reefing, tricing up the sail, etc. {See diagram under
Rigging. ) The standing end of a topping-lift is either permanently
secured or simply eye-spliced and passed over the boom end ; it then
runs through a block, usually placed high up on the head of the
mast, and comes down on deck to be belayed on the starboard side
•of the mast. In large vessels the topping-bit is double, one rope
being on each side of the sail. In some sailing boats, more par-
ticularly in those carrying lug-sails or those una-rigged, the topping-
lift is occasionally called the sling.
Top gallant (pronounced t'gam). — This term has a considerable
use at sea. It is derived from top " garland ; " a garland being
■originally a rope used for swaying a topmast. (See Garland.)
In a ship we have the top gallant masts, yards, sails, stays, etc.
Top gallant forecastle (pronounced " t'gam fo'ks'l"). — A small
extra forecastle in certain ships, above the deck.
Top-hamper. — Weight aloft, that is, above the decks of a vessel.
Thus her topmasts and yards constitute her top-hamper ; and if these
are too much for her, she is said to have too much top-hamper. In
•a ship the top-hamper is sometimes a rope for swaying a top or
top-gallant mast — the ancient " topmast garland."
Topmast. — This is described under the heading MAST.
Topmast stays. — Topmasts, like lower masts, are supported by
various stays, those keeping them forward being called fore-stays,
and those 'keeping them back, the back-stays. In a ship each top-
mast has these stays, which take their names from that of the mast,
as main stay, top gallant stay, fore stay, etc. In single masted
craft the topmast fore-stay is a stay or rope running from the head
•of the topmast to the bowsprit end. Upon it is set the jib-topsail.
Topmast back-stays, also called preventers, are only seen in yachts
of tolerable size, being found unnecessary in small boats (except
under extraordinary circumstances), and always a little difficult to
work, since they have to be shifted as the boom comes over. (See
•diagram under Rigging.)
Topsails. — In square rigged vessels the topsails are those set
above the courses, taking their names from the masts, yards, or
stays upon which they stand. Thus, in a ship, there will be
the main-topsail, main-top-gallant, main-royal, main-top-studding-
sail, main-top-gallant-studding-sail, main-top-stay-sail, main-top
gallant-stay-sail, etc. In modern days, the huge square topsail
of the old ship having been found to hold too much wind to
work rapidly, has been divided into two parts, called respectively
the upper topsail and the lower or middle topsail ; and this
•division constitutes what are known as double topsails (under
which heading they are more fully described). In cutters, sloops,
and other fore-and-aft rigged craft, the main topsail is that one
set above the mainsail ; here it is but an extension of the mainsail,
and the two should work together as one. The jib-topsail, or, as it
U
290
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
may be called, the topmast fore-stay-sail, is a jib sail standing
on the topmast fore-stay.
A topsail extended on a gaff is called a gaff topsail ; and the
gaff topsails on a cutter yacht
may be as follow (see fig.) : —
Jib-headed topsail. — That most
usually carried, because by far
the most handy for general
cruising, and at all times the
most easily manipulated. It
takes its name from its shape,
being a jib-shaped or triangular
sail ; its head draws up to the
topmast head, and it may be
either laced to the topmast or
held to it by a rope, called the
jack-stay, which is attached to
a cringle in the middle of the
luff. Big topsail. — A general
name, given for want of a better,
to the largest topsail a yacht
carries under normal circum-
stances. Its head is extended
on a yard, so that it becomes,
in fact, a sort of standing lug,
elevated above the mainsail, with
its clew drawn up to the peak
and its tack-line running down
to the base of the lower mast.
It is only used in bight winds.
. — Spinnaker topsail, often called
the big topsail, has no connec-
tion with the spinnaker, but
being a racing sail only suited
to running or sailing large, is ,
often used at the same time as t ' acfc
that. The peculiarity of this Tobsai.ls
sail hies in the fact that its after '
leech is extended beyond the
peak of the mainsail on a small
boom called the jack-yard. It
is difficult to determine whether
this sail possesses any real ad-
vantage over the ordinary big
topsail, but with certain boats it
may, without doubt, be effec-
tive. Jack topsail. — A topsail laced to a spar called the jack-
yard, wliich yard is drawn vip close to the mast and extends
perpendicularly up beyond it. The foot of the sail is also
Gaff Topsails.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS. 291
sometimes extended on another small yard (also called the jack-
yard), like the spinnaker topsail previously described.
Theoretically a topsail should be set to windward so that the
tack may always lie down on the mainsail ; but as this, of course,
is impossible, it is usually hoisted on the starboard side.
A boat is said to hold her topmast when she can beat to windward
under a topsail. This, as above noted, she cannot do with her big
topsail if the wind be at all fresh, for that sail is liable to belly
away from the mast and loose the wind, and is then said not to
hold the mast. She holds her topmast best under a jib topsail.
With barges and other heavily laden craft the topsail is often carried
when the mainsail is double reefed or brailed up.
Topsail sheets. — The ropes which work topsails. In ships the
ropes attached to both clews of all topsails (i.e., all square sails
above the courses) are called sheets, but not so with the courses.
(See Sheets.) In fore-and-aft rigged boats the topsail sheet
is that rope which brings the clew of a topsail to the gaff. It is
bent to the sail, passes through a sheave at the gaff end, thence
to a block which is often suspended by a short rope or tail from the
throat, and then downward to the deck, to be belayed m the most
convenient position, for the belaying of this sheet varies in different
boats. (See fig., p. 290.) This method of bringing the topsail sheet
down may need explanation : the topsail, it must be remembered,
usually (though not always) is set on the starboard side, and while the
boat is on the starboard tack there is no reason why the sheet should
not be brought straight down from the gaff end. But when the
boat comes about on the other tack the mainsail will press very
heavily upon the topsail sheet, and most probably overstrain, if
indeed it does not break it. It is necessary, then, that this sheet
should be relieved, and the best manner of doing this is to take it
along the head of the mainsail as nearly parallel with the gaff as
possible.
Topsail breeze. — A fine breeze in which a vessel may sail under
topsails.
Topsail schooner. — The common name for a trading schooner
carrying square fore-topsails. (See SCHOONER.)
Top sawyer. — A slang term. The chief man in any undertaking ;
he with the authority. A person who does anything in a first class
manner may also be called a top sawyer, as also may a boat which
has more than usually excellent qualities.
Top timbers (in shipbuilding). — The topmost futtocks of a vessel,
sometimes called the heads or head timbers. — Above the top
timbers are placed the short timbers. (See diagrams under Frame.)
Torse. — A coarse kind of hemp usually called cordilla.
Torsion (of cables). — " All ropes formed by twisting have a
contraiy turn, and a disposition to kink from torsion." (Smyth).
Tosh. — A slang term for a theft, more especially from dockyards.
Toss oars. — The expression is variously used, but especially
signifies to throw the oars up to the perpendicular as they do in the
U2
292 A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEEMS.
Royal Navy in compliment to an officer, preparatory to shipping or
unshipping. But the order to " Toss oars !" may also mean merely
to ship or unship.
Total loss. — A term in marine insurance, signifying that the
underwriters (who insured her against loss) have to pay the whole
amount for which a .lost vessel has heen insured, without deduction
for salvage.
Touch, (in navigation). — To touch at any port is to stop there
for only a short period. (In sailing). — Sails are said to touch (mean-
ing touch the wind), when they just begin to shiver as the vessel is
put up to the wind.
Luff and touch her. — An order to the helmsman to sail the vessel
so close as almost to touch the wind.
Touch and take. — " An old proverb which Nelson applied to a
ship about to encounter her opponent. "
To have a touch of the tar-brush. — A person in whose appearance
there is a slight approach to the negro is sometimes thus described.
Tow. — 1. To tow is to draw a vessel along in the water. It
may be done either from banks, by horses or men, or by another
vessel in the water, as a tug takes a ship in tow.
A tow-line or tow-rope is the rope by which the vessel is towed ;
those employed by tugs are very large hempen ropes, seldom less
than 9 inches in diameter, and veiy costly. On the Upper Thames
a thin tow-line forms part of the inventory of every new skiff ; and
towing is a veiy favourite method of getting up against stream.
A tow-mast is a small mast used in canal barges and in skiffs to
lead the tow-line clear of all impediments along the banks. The line
is usually attached to the mast in such a manner as to form a sort
of backstay on the side farthest from the bank.
A tow among tug and barge men signifies the vessel or vessels
in tow.
To steer while being towed is not altogether easy. In an open
boat a tow-line should never be made fast to the stem, the strain on
the boat being too great ; it should be passed round one of the forward
thwarts. " As the vessel towed affects the motions of the other,
much attention is required on her part to second the intentions of
the towing vessel." (Brande and Cox.) This, of course, only
applies to large vessels.
2. Tow-hauling. — -A method, in the oyster fisheries of the Essex
rivers, and occasionally elsewhere, of dredging for oysters in small
creeks and under banks, where a sailing vessel cannot work. The
work is done in large open boats called skiffs (oyster skiffs). Two
anchors being placed at a convenient distance apart (say 60 or 80
fathoms), the dredges are put overboard and the skiff is " hauled "
from one anchor to the other, and then back, thus " towing " the
dredges along, and hence called " haul-towing " or " tow-hauling. "
If there be a fair breeze, a lug-sail is set, which assists the dredger-
men at their work.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEHMS. 293
3. Tow. — By the material tow is usually understood the hard or
coarser part of hemp or flax.
Track. — A vessel's wake upon the water.
Trade winds. — Those winds which, in and near the torrid zone,
continue to hlow for a certain part of the year from one quarter.
A very easy and lucid explanation of these winds is given in Captain
Basil Hall's "Lieutenant and Commander," which also contains
much other interesting matter.
Trail boards. — In old ships the carved boards on either side of
the stem, and helping to support the figure head.
Transom (trans, across). — In a ship the transoms are beams
bolted across the sternpost to receive the after ends of the decks.
In smaller craft the transom is either a solid piece, or a frame work,
taking the form of the end of a boat, and secured to the after side
of the sternpost. In either oase it gives the form to the stern of the
vessel, though this may be concealed by the addition of a counter.
(See Frame.) In large ships and especially in old ones there are a
number of transoms. The deck transoms are the highest, being
those upon which the deck planks are rebated (recessed). The helm
transoms are at the head of the sternpost. The wing transoms
come next below and form the lowest part of the stern. Transom
knees are knees which connect the transoms with the sides of a
vessel.
Traveller. — 1. A ring which travels along a spar; it is fre-
quently connected with a hook or an eye to which a sail may be
attached. The jib-stay of a cutter carries the jib-sail along the
bowsprit by means of a traveller. A lug sail is also sometimes
confined to its mast by the same means, though the plan is not alto-
gether a good one, unless the traveller be made of two parts, when
it is less likely to jam. A traveller is also sometimes used instead
of a clamp on a boom, for reefing. Travellers are the better for
being served (or bound) with leather, which must be kept greased.
2. Travellers (in the stays of a ship). — The running backstays are
sometimes called by this name. (See under Backstays.)
3. Travelling iron. — A name sometimes given on ship board to
that which in a yacht or sailing boat is usually called the horse
(which see).
Traverse. — A yard traverses about its mast when it turns about.
To put the yards a-travers (Ft. a traverse) is to dispose them in a
fore-and-aft direction.
Traverse sailing (in navigation). — Sailing in different courses in
succession.
Traverse table. — A species of table, or tabulated form, employed in
reducing the courses made in traverse sailing.
Traverse wind. — A wind setting directly against the course a
vessel desires to take, as into a harbour, and thereby preventing
vessels from getting out.
294
A DICTIONAKY OP SEA TEKMS.
Trawl. — A large net attached to a heavy beam called the trawl-
beam, used in bottom fishing. A vessel employed in the trawl fisheries
is called a trawler, and if in the North Sea, a North Sea trawler.
Otter trawl. — Another form of trawling net used in estuaries and
for inshore fishing.
Tread. — The length of a vessel's keel is her tread.
Tree. — The word " tree " is often employed at sea to mean " of
timber" or "wooden." Thus we hear of the treenails, chess-
trees, cross-trees, rough-trees, trestle-trees, waist-trees, etc. (all
described under their respective headings), all of which are of wood.
Treenails (i.e., -tree or timber nails, pronounced, and often
written, " trennels "). — Wooden bolts of various forms, by which the
strakes of a ship's bottom are secured to her lower timbers.
Treenail wedges. — Treenails of wedge-like shape.
Trench. — To trench the ballast is so to place it that a passage
or trench is left, in case it may be necessary to get at any part of
the vessel.
Trend. — The trend of an anchor is that part of the shank where
its thickness increases — i.e., about one-third of its length from the
crown. But modern anchors have considerably changed in form, in
many the thickness of the shank being the same throughout, while
the stock is often absent. {See Anchor. )
The trend of a coast line is its direction, as south-west, north-
east, etc.
Trestle trees. — A trestle tree is a flat piece of wood at a mast-
head supporting the cross-trees and topmast. In large vessels there
are two ; one each side of the mast. In small craft, one piece,
having a hole in it to fit over the mast and another to form a lower
cap for the topmast, takes the place of the two. Trestle trees are
supported on the shoulders, or bibbs, as they are sometimes called.
In old ships fitted with tops they carry the tops ; and in all cases
they support the entire weight of the
topmast. (See under Mast. )
Triatic stay, or jumper stay.—
This is a stay (or rope) running from
the main to the fore-mast head in a
schooner. It acts as a forestay to the
main-mast. In ships there are such
stays connecting the masts fore and
aft, or in their place others running
from each mast head down to a collar
at the base of the mast before it, such
sails as are prevented from coming round
by these being topped up and hauled Triatic Stay.
over each time the vessel goes about.
It will be seen that the triatic stay precludes the possibility of setting
a gaff top-sail on the fore-mast. In this case square top-sails are
set (as in the fig.). When it is desired to set a gaff topsail a
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
295
Triced Up.
mainstay — running from the main-mast head to the fore-mast foot —
is employed instead of the triatic stay, the large boom foresail being
" topped" over it each time the vessel comes about.
Trice. — To trice up is to draw up,
shorten or tighten some sail or rope, and
the tricing line is the rope by which this
is accomplished. Thus the main trice (also
called the tack trice, or tack tricing line),
in a fore-and-aft rigged boat, trices or
draws up the tack of the mainsail towards
the masthead (as in the fig.), the object of
this action being to let the wind out of
the sail without lowering" it. This line
is attached to the tack of the sail and,
passing through a block beneath the
throat of the gaff, comes down again on
deck. The bobstay trice is a rope bent to the bobstay, and serving
to pull it up beneath the bowsprit so that it may not chafe the
cable while the boat lies at anchor.
Trick (at sea). — The time allotted to a man to be at the wheel
or elsewhere. The word has somewhat the same meaning as spell,
and may otherwise be defined as " a spell on duty."
Tricolor. — The national banner of France, adopted from the
ancient standards, during the First Revolution. These colours are
blue, white and red, the blue being first, or next the flagstaff.
The same colours, carried as a British flag, are disposed the reverse
way, that is the red next the staff — running, therefore, red, white
and blue. These are also the colours of Holland, conferred by
Henry IV. of France, but disposed lengthwise. Tri coloured flags
have also been adopted by various other nations.
Trim. — The trim is the position of a vessel in the water with
respect to the horizontal. If she is level she is in trim; if on uneven
keel or if lying over on one side she is out of trim. (5ee fig. ) She is
also popularly called ' ' trim " when she presents a smart appearance,
as in the old song, "Farewell, my
trim-built wherry," though this
line might also mean that the
boat was so built as to float level
in the water, or "trim."
To trim a boat is, therefore, to Boats Out of Trim.
balance her in the water so that
she may lie both level and on an even keel. (See Keel.) In a sailing
boat or a yacht this will mean to properly dispose the ballast. In
an open or row-boat it will be to place the people so that she is in
trim ; for passengers are often in the habit of moving about or of
choosing such situations as put the boat quite out of trim.
To trim sails is so to dispose the sails of a boat that she will move
at her best ; and as sails are, of course, worked by sheets, to haul in
a sheet to the required extent is called trimming in the sheet.
296 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS.
To trim clown a boat is to take down and stow away the sails, etc./
after a cruise, and to leave all things in proper order for future use.
Trinity House. — One of the bodies having certain jurisdiction
on the Thames and along the coast. This institution was incor-
porated by Henry VIII. in 1515, and its powers were confirmed
by James II. and have further been defined in the present reign
(Victoria). Its commission is for the regulation of lighthouses,
lightships, buoys, beacons, etc., besides the licensing of pilots, the-
disposal of wrecks, and many other things directly connected with
mercantile navigation. Its members are called " brethren."
Trinity high-water mark. — The height of high water at any time
or place, as marked by the Trinity House.
Trip. — 1. A passage or cruise. 2. In sailing, a single board.
(See Tack. )
The anchor a" trip. — The anchor just as it leaves the ground.
(See Anchor.)
Tripping (in yacht-sailing). — The striking of the boom of a vessel
on the crest of a wave, as she is running before the wind. Should
this occur with any violence, or in a heavy sea, the result may be
that the sail will suddenly gybe, a possibility by all means to be
avoided and often successfully guarded against by slightly topping
the boom.
Tripving a yard. — Bringing it to the necessary angle.
Tripping a topmast. — Lifting it slightly so as to withdraw the-
fid. This is done by hauling on the —
Tripping line, a rope for lifting the heel of a top or top-gallant
mast.
Tropics. — " The parallels of declination between which the sun's
annual path in the heavens is contained, the distance of each from
the equator being equal to the sun's greatest declination. The
northern tropic is called the tropic of Cancer, and the southern one
that of Capricorn, from their touching the ecliptic in the first points
of those stages." (Brande and Cox.)
Trough. — 1. (Of the sea.) The hollow between the waves.
2. A small boat broad at the ends. (Smyth.)
Trow. — A species of barge which, as with so many other forms
of vessels, varies with locality. Thus, on the Severn River it is
a clincher-built hull with a flat floor, while on the Tyne
it is a sort of double boat with a space between, at one
time used in the salmon fishery.
Truck (of a mast). — 1. The wooden cap at the head
of a pole or topmast. It is flat and circular, and gener-
ally has one or more small holes in it for flag or signal
halyards.
2. The small wooden beads often threaded on the jaw
rope of a gaff are sometimes called trucks or parrel-trucks,
though more properly, perhaps, they are parrel-rollers.
(See Parrel.)
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS.
297
Truckle. — 1. To lower, or partly lower; spoken of a sail. The
term is often used in general conversation, as to "truckle under."
2. A Welsh coracle.
Trundle-head. — The circular head of a capstan into which the
hare are fixed for turning ; to trundle being to make ambulatory-
gyrations, as in the saying " to trundle around. "
Truss. — To trass or truss up (in sailing craft) is to brail
up a sail quickly, which is done with a truss rope or line. (See
Brail.)
Truss and parrel. —An arrangement, usually consisting of an iron
ring, but sometimes a peculiar loop in a rope, by which a yard is held
to its mast. Such an arrangement is generally required with lug
sails. (See under Lug.)
Truss hoops. — Clasps which may run on masts or any other spar.
A divided ring may be regarded as a truss and serves very well with
lug sails.
Try. — To try. — To lie to in a heavy gale. This is always a
somewhat difficult operation ; but by a judicious balance of canvas, a
vessel's bow may be kept to the sea without causing her to make great
way ; and this is called trying. Thus if, in a yacht or sailing boat,
close-reefed, the helm be put down, the foresail belayed on the weather
side, so that it lies aback, the jib to leeward, and the main sheet be
close-hauled, the boat, if in proper trim, ought to lie to without
difficulty. With respect to the old ships there were great discussions
on the art of trying, which, with all the square sail they carried, was
a very nice performance. It was said by Smyth that close-hauled and
under all sail a vessel gained headway within six points, while in
trying she might come up to five and fall off to seven. Falconer
speaks of lashing the helm a'lee. Smyth, on the other hand, speaks
strongly against it. " If a vessel be in proper trim," he says, " she
will naturally keep to the wind ; but custom and deficiency of sea-
manlike ability have induced the lazy habit of lashing the helm
a'lee. H
Try back. — To pay back, or let go back
Spoken of a rope or cable which is being
hauled upon, it means " let it go out again. "
Trysail (a name derived, probably, from sails
set when "trying "). — The trysails, as part of
a vessel's inventory, are small sails used in very
bad weather, when no others can be carried,
or, occasionally, for rough work. But in fore-
and-aft rig, when the trysail is spoken of, it
means a gaff sail (such as the mainsail of a
cutter) without a boom. Such a sail is made
of stouter canvas than the fair weather sails,
and, the boom being absent, is very much
better suited to rough winter work ; for a
boom-sail holds the wind when a trysail will Trysail.
298 A DICTIONARY pF SEA TEKMS.
readily shake it out, while the latter possesses the further advan-
tage that it can be quickly brailed or triced up.
Trysail mast (in old ships). — " A spar abaft the fore and main masts
for hoisting the trysail." (Smyth.) They are now seldom seen.
Tuck. — That part of a vessel's stern immediately under her
counter and terminating under the tuck-rail — which is a line of
horizontal timbers forming part of the counter of a ship.
Tumble home. — [See Fall Home.)
Tumbler. — A fitting between the jaws of a gaff to prevent its
chafing the mast. Sometimes called a clapper.
Turk's head. — An ornamental knot used on side ropes or
wherever else convenient. lbs name is derived from a supposed
resemblance to a turban.
Turn. — To take a turn. — To pass a rope once or twice over a
spar, etc.
Turn in. — 1. Of a rope or rigging, to turn the end over and
into the rope itself, thus making an eye, generally enclosing
something. So to turn in dead-eyes is to secure the ends of the
shroud round the dead-eye. This is the method in which dead-
eyes are usually fitted.
2. To turn in, among seafaring men, means to go below ; or if
already below, to get into one's bunk.
Turn-turtle. — An expression sometimes used of a boat when she
suddenly turns in the wrong direction, as up to the wind, etc. ; but
some use the same term when she capsizes.
Turn up. — To summon, as "Turn up the hands," an order on
shipboard to summon all hands on deck.
Turret ship. — A ship of war in which the heavy guns are
mounted on rotating and covered decks called turrets.
Twiddling line. — This term is now seldom heard because the
thing itself is no longer in use. In old ships the twiddling-line was
a small line employed to steady the steering wheel ; and it was often
of ornamental appearance.
Twig. — To twig, to pull upon a bowline (Smyth).
Twine. — Strong thread used in sail-making.
Two blocks.— {See Chock a'block.)
Tye. — A rope or chain. In ships it is often part of a purchase,
such as that used in hoisting topsail or top gallant yards.
Tye block and fly block. — Blocks connected with the lifting of
heavy yards in square rigged ships.
Ties. — Ropes or bands of sail-cloth employed in tying up sails
when they are furled.
Typhoon. — A violent hurricane in the Eastern seas.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS. 299
u.
• Ullage. — That part which a cask lacks of being full.
Un. — Unbend. — To unlash or take off, i.e., the direct opposite to
bend, which is to put up or tie up. So a sail is unbent when taken
off its yard or boom, etc.
Unbitt. — To loosen the belay of a rope from the bitts. (See
Bitts.)
Unclaimed. — Spoken of a vessel, it is the same as "derelict;"
a vessel found without any living person or domestic animal on
board, and if left unclaimed for a certain period, becomes the
property of the finder, or if claimed he has a lien on it to the full
extent of the salvage. But if any domestic animal is on board she
is not derelict.
Unhandy (of a boat). — Not handy, slow in stays, etc.
Unreeve. — To draw ropes out from sheaves or blocks.
Unrig. — To take the rigging off a vessel, as for laying up, etc.
Unship. — To remove anything from its proper place. Thus the
rowlocks may be looked upon as the proper place for oars ; and,
therefore, to unship oars is to take them out of the rowlocks.
Una rig. — A rig at one time very common in Norfolk, from
whence it nas been to a certain extent taken up on the Upper
Thames and other smooth water rivers. It consists of one sail only
(whence the name), with gaff and boom, hoisted by a single halyard,
the mast being stepped very far forward. The boat carrying the
una rig is usually very shallow and beamy, the breadth being
carried aft ; and she is fitted with a centreboard. Her qualities
come out when working to windward, for which she is peculiarly
adapted ; she is not suited, however, to broken water. " Una boats
should be kept well down by the stern, as if they are down by the
head they gripe or fly to windward, and no amount of weather
helm will keep them away." (Davies.) This rule, indeed, applies
more or less to every craft. Norfolk wherries are the origin of una
rig, and on their own waters are unsurpassable. {See Wherry.)
Under. — Under bare poles. — A ship is described thus when she
has no sails set : and in this condition she sometimes runs before the
wind, which is called scudding under bare poles. (See SCUD.)
Under canvas. — Having sails set ; in contradistinction to being
under bare poles.
Under-current. — A current under the surface of the water, and
ten in a direction contraiy to that of the surface.
Under-manned. — Lacking the number of hands (men) necessary
to work a vessel properly.
Under-masted. — When the masts of a vessel are too short.
Under-run. — To under-run a tackle is to separate its parts. To
under-run a hawser or rope is to drop it underneath any object so as
to clear it.
300
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEliMS.
Underset. — " Wherever the wind impels the surface water directly
upon the shore of a hay the water below restores equilibrium by
taking a direction contrary to the wind. The resaca, or underset,
is particularly dangerous on those beaches where heavy surf
prevails." (Smyth.)
Under-shore. — To raise up by shores placed underneath.
Under the lee. — 1. Under the shelter of any object.
2. The tide setting under the lee of a vessel. (See Lee.)
Under the wind. — To be sheltered by any object so as not to
feel the force of the wind. The same as under the lee of anything.
(See Lee.)
Under turns. — (See OVER TURNS.)
Under way. — To have way, i.e., motion; or, in other words, to be
making progress. This term must be distinguished from the next,
which is pronounced in exactly the same manner ; the mistake being
often made.
Under weigh. — To be in the act of weighing anchor. Thus a
vessel may be under weigh without having way on her, or, in other
words, "under weigh but not under way."
Under-writers. — " Parties who take upon themselves the risk
of insurance, and so called from subscribing their names at the
foot of the policy. They are legally presumed to be acquainted
with every custom of the trade whereon they enter a policy."
(Smyth.)
Uneven Keel.— (See Keel.)
UNION, Union Jack.—
The Union is the national flag
of Great Britain. When hoisted
on a Jack-staff it may be called
the Union Jack ; otherwise the
latter name is incorrect. It is
a composition of the flags of
England, Scotland, and Ireland,
or, in other words, of the cross
of St. George (a red cross on a
white field), the saltier of St.
Andrew (a white saltier on a
blue field), and the saltier of
St. Patrick (a red saltier on a
white field). From the date of
the union of England and Scot-
land it consisted of the flags of
these two countries only ; when
the union with Ireland took
place, the Irish flag was also in-
troduced. The manner in which
this composition is obtained is
purely heraldic, and may be
to some extent understood by Union Jack.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 301
reference to the figures. Those who would know more of the
subject may be referred to Mr. Macgeorge's short "History of
Flags;" or to the magazine, Good Words, for July, 1897.
Up. — This word is often used at sea as an order meaning to raise
up, as " up anchor," " up topsail," etc., just as the word down "
often implies " lower. " To up helm is to put the helm up, that is
up to the wind, or, in other words, against the wind. (See HELM.)
Up (of the tide). — The tide rising. In a river this is very easily
remembered, for as rivers must have their source on high ground
their waters must ran downwards to the sea. The same applies
with regard to the stream of a river where there is no tide. The
stream is the water running down from the hills, and, therefore, to go
up must be to go against the stream, and vice versd.
Up river. — A name given to that portion of a river which is above
the first lock : that is where there is no longer a tide. So we often
speak of up-river boats, etc., meaning boats suitable to the non-tidal
parts of a river. The expression, however, may often mean any part
of a river up away from the sea, or where the water becomes fresh :
and in this sense it is generally used by down-river men.
Upper. — Upper and lower caps. — The rings at the head of a mast
through which a topmast passes. The lower cap is often incorpor-
ated with the trestle tree, which supports the weight of the topmast,
by its fid. This combination is occasionally called the cap and yoke.
(See Cap and Yoke.)
Upper works (old term). — The same as freeboard when a vessel
is loaded.
V.
Vanes, or vanes. — Ropes extending from the peak of a gaff,
sprit, or lateen yard, to the sides of a vessel ; their office being to
steady either of these when hoisted with-
out a sail, as is often the case in square
rigged vessels and steam boats. In the
Thames and sea-going barges they always
exist, and serve the further purpose of
main sheets when the vessel is hay laden
or freighted with any cargo which neces-
sitates the sail being reefed up so high
that the sheet cannot be used. In lateen
rig they also assist in working the sails.
Vail (old term). — To lower, as in dip- __.tt{!£!J!!4^b-?\^.3fe>_
ping a flag.
Veer. — To veer (in sailing). — To turn
away from the wind. But the word is
almost obsolete, having been replaced
by the more familiar term wear (which
see).
To veer out (of a rope). — To let out a hawser or any other rope by
which a vessel is fast, or by which anything is fast to her. Thus, if
302 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
a dinghy in tow be too close to a yacht's stem, her guest rope may
be "veered out." Or, again, if a vessel ride uneasily for want of
cable, the cable may be " veered out." So also if the cable be
running out when it should be fast, it is said to be " veering."
Veer and haul. — Hauling on a rope and slackening up again
alternately.
Veering and backing of the wind. — The veering of the wind is its
change in direction with the sun., i.e. from E. through S. to W., etc.
Its backing is its change in the other direction. {See WINDS.)
Voyal. — " A rope used on shipboard to bring the pressure of the
capstan to bear on the cable without the necessity of winding the
latter round the barrel" (Brande and Cox).
W.
Waft.— A small pennant. (See Wheft.)
Wager boat. — A boat in which races are rowed. The name
would appear to be derived from the fact that in professional racing
wagers are laid by the competitors or their backers on the' result of
a meeting. The type of wager boat now in use is the improved
" whiff," called the best boat. (See Best Boat and Whiff.)
Waggon. — A place on board a ship where superannuated goods
are stored. The term applies principally to old war-ships.
Waist. — Actually that part of a vessel between the beam and
the quarter. The term, however, more particularly refers to those
vessels which have quarter decks. In these it is that part of the
main deck immediately forward of the quarter deck ; and not having
any upper deck, it has the appearance of being a low deck or well.
Thus a flush-decked ship can hardly be said to have a waist. In
old ships with big poops the waist was just forward of the poop ;
to-day it is more frequently seen on steam-vessels than in sailing
ships.
Waist anchor. — An additional anchor in a ship, stowed somewhat
further aft than the main anchor, though not in the waist.
Waist cloth (old Naval term). — A painted covering for a
hammock.
Waist rail. — In ships, a sort of channel rail or moulding on a
ship's sides.
Waist-tree. — Another name for a rough-tree, in the vicinity of the
waist of a ship.
Waister. — A name for a person who is no good. As an old
Naval term it implies those green-hands or superannuated ones who,
not being fit to send aloft, were relegated to the waist of the ship,
where they might pick junk or swab the decks.
Wake. — The track a vessel leaves behind her on the surface of
the water. One vessel may therefore sail in another's wake.
Wale. — 1. In shipbuilding, the wale, or outer wale, of a boat is
the strake running beneath and supporting the outer edge of the
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 303
gunwale. (See fig.) It is some-
times called the band, or the
rubbing piece, and is occasion-
ally incorporated with . the
uppermost strake of the boat.
The inwale is a corresponding
strip running inside the boat. «,...
(&e Gunwale.) wale "
2. Wales or walings are strengthening planks or battens laid
down upon the ribs inside a boat to protect the skin. Those in the
lowest part of the boat are called foot walings. (See diagrams under
Frame.)
Walk away. — One boat is said to walk away from another
when she easily passes the other and leaves her a long way
behind.
Walker (Mathew Walker).— The name of a stopper knot. (See
Knots.)
Wall. — Wall knot (" Wale-knot "). — The name of a knot raised
at the end of a rope by untwisting the strands and passing them
among each other.
Wall-sided. — A vessel with perpendicular sides, as a barge.
Ware.— (See Wear.)
Warp. — 1. A rope by which something is dragged.
2. A bight hawser (i.e., a strong rope) by which a vessel is moved t
this is called warping; it was an old method, before the intro-
duction of tugs, of getting a ship out of harbour. Warps were
made fast to buoys, and being heaved upon gradually brought the
vessel along until she could make sail.
3. Warp (of timbers). — To curl up : the usual consequence of
unseasoned timber being allowed to become wet and dry alternately.
4. Warp and weft (in sail-making). — The warp is the lengthwise
measurement of sailcloth, the width being the weft.
Wash. — The commotion resulting in a wave, created by a vessel
moving rapidly through the water. This is her wash, not her swell.
(See Ground Swell and Swell.)
A'wash. — Wet. Gunwales under. Hence a boat is said to sail
" all a'wash " when she heels over under sail so that her decks are
washed by the water.
Wash board. — A planking fixed along the bows and sides of a
boat to prevent the water she cuts from coming on deck. (See
Weather-boards. )
Wash strake. — The same as wash board.
Wash of an oar. — The blade is occasionally called by this name.
Wash (a measure). — In the shellfish trades one fourth of an
oyster bushel, or " tub," the tub itself varying according to locality.
Watches. — The division of a ship's company into two, called the
starboard wa tch and the port watch; these names being derived from
304 A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS.
the situation in which the hammocks of the crews are usually hung.
" The crew are divided into two divisions, as equally as may be,
called the watches. Of these the chief mate commands the lar-
board (port), and the second mate the starboard. They divide the
time between them, being on and off duty, or, as it is called, on
deck and below, every other four hours."
Dog watches. — " They are to shift the watches each night, so that
the same watch need not be on deck the same hours. In order to
effect this, the watch from 4 to 8 p.m. is divided into two halves, or
dog watches, one from 4 to 6, and the other from 6 to 8. By this
means they divide the 24 hours into 7 watches instead of 6, and thus
-shift the hours every night." (Dana, "Two Years before the
Mast.") The system of watches has somewhat changed since the
introduction of steam vessels, upon which the 4 hours on and the 4
off has given way in some cases to 4 on and 8 off, or to day and night
watches of 12 hours' duration. (See also under Bells.)
Water. — Water bailiff. — An official whose duties relate more
especially to the inspection of vessels under weigh within certain
boundaries.
Water borne. — Brought by water.
Water-laid (called by the stow-boat fisherman " stow-boat rope").
— The same as cablet, or cable-laid, i.e., left-handed rope. {See
Rope.)
Water-laid coils. — Those laid left-handed or against the sun.
Water-line (in Naval architecture). — A section of a hull, taken
parallel to the line of flotation. There are two cardinal ones ; the
water-line or light water-line, and the load-water line. The first is
the line to which a vessel is designed to float ; the second that down
to which she may with safety be immersed when freighted. And
between these two there may be, for purposes of calculation in the
designing of a vessel, any number of water-lines. In the popular
sense the water-line of a boat is the line of flotation. {See Lines.)
Water-logged. — A vessel is water- logged when full of water but
still floating ; she has then lost all her buoyancy and becomes the
creature of every sweeping sea, under which circumstances she is
often abandoned. The term relates, of course, only to wooden ships
which do not sink. Those freighted with timber occasionally
become water-logged.
Waterman. — Generally speaking, one whose vocation is carried on
by the waterside. But a distinction is to be made, for not one half
of those men whose work is connected with the water are watermen.
The Thames or Queen's waterman is one who has served his appren-
ticeship to some member of the Watermen's Company, and who is
fit to navigate on the Thames.
Watermen 's and Lightermen's Company. — One of the riparian
authorities on the Thames. " The members have a monopoly of
the navigation of craft plying between Teddington and Gravesend ;
and the court licenses and exercises certain jurisdiction over its
members. "
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS. 305
Water-proof clothing. —(See OlL-SKINS. )
Water sail, or save all (in ships). — "A small sail sometimes set
under the foot of a lower studding-sail." (Smyth). (See STUDDING
Sails.)
Water stang.—A pole or rod across a stream, or a system of such
poles.
Water stead. — The old name for the bed of a river.
Water stoup. — A name sometimes given to the common winkle.
Water ways (in a ship). — The deck planks extending round the
ship's sides, and usually having grooves or channels which cany off
the water from the decks. In a small half-decked boat the narrow
decking round the well is called the water ways.
Water war. — Another name for the peculiar rising of the tide
which in the Severn is called the bore, or anciently, the hygre.
(See Eagre.)
Wattles. — Hurdles composed of withies woven together and
often placed along a river bank at high-water mark to keep the
banks from falling in.
Wavesori. — Goods after shipwreck floating on the waves.
Way.* — Momentum. — It is important to note the difference
between this and the term "weigh," the two being often con-
founded. A vessel in motion is said to have way on her : and when
she ceases to move, to have no way. But a vessel under weigh is
one in the act of weighing her anchor, or having weighed it, during
which time she has no way on her.
Fresh way is increased speed made by a vessel under sail. (See
under Fresh. )
Head-way. — To make head -way is to make progress forward. (See
under HEAD).
Stern-way. — A vessel makes stern-way when by some accident
she moves stern foremost. (See under Stern.)
To gather way is to make fresh way.
To lose way, to fail in making any progress and lose that already
made.
Gang-way. — An opening in the bulwarks of a vessel, through
whicli a gang -board may be pushed.
'Way aloft, or 'way up (literally aivay aloft). — A command to
the crew of a ship to go aloft to furl, reef, etc.
Ways. — Baulks of timber laid down for launching vessels upon, or
for moving any heavy weight.
Wear (from "weather") or veer. — To wear or wear ship is to
put a vessel on the other tack by bringing her round stern to wind
(in other words by paying her head off before the wind) ; and it is,
therefore, the opposite to tacking, which brings her round head to
wind. (Compare with Tack.) In fore-and-aft boats the practice
is not general ; but there are occasions, and more especially with
* Way is occasionally the same as a ship's run or rake, but is most commonly
understood of her sailing. (Falconer.)
X
306 A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEKMS.
slow turning craft, as for instance when from a heavy sea a boat
refuses to " wind helm," upon which it is necessary to wear. The
safest plan is then to settle the peak, trim in the main sheet, and
press the helm up. As the boat gets stern to wind the sail will
naturally gybe, and as soon as this has taken place the peak may be
again hauled up, the sheet trimmed, and the boat brought on the
other tack to the desired course. It would appear, from the accounts
of fights between sailing ships, that wearing was a very common
evolution in old naval warfare.
Wear bare. — Spoken of ropes that are thin and weak from
constant friction and exposure. Ropes should always be renewed
before they have worn bare.
"Weather (Anglo-Saxon ivoeder, the temperature of the atmo-
sphere).— The term as a nautical expression, says Smyth, is applied
to all things to windward of some particular situation. Hence the
following : The weather side of a vessel is the side upon which the
wind blows, the other side being the leeward. To weather another
ship (in sailing) is to pass her on the weather or windward side. To
weather a gale is to lie to in a gale ; that is with the vessel's head
to wind ; and she is said to have weathered the gale when she has
lived safely through it.
Weather beam. — That side of the ship's beam presented to the
wind.
Weather board. — That side of the ship to windward.
Weather boards. — Boards set up round the bows of a boat to
prevent water from coming over her. They usually extend from
the headpost to a point just forward of the shrouds. It must
be admitted, however, that as a boat ships water at the shrouds
quite as much as over the bows, and in some cases a good deal more,
the weather boards are seldom taken sufficiently far aft. It would
undoubtedly be better, therefore, to carry them from the headpost to
the beam amidships, when that is possible.
Weather boat. — One which behaves herself well, or the reverse, in
any weather. The one is a good weather boat, the other a bad.
Weather-bound or weather-fast (anciently woeder-foest). — Unable
to proceed because of the condition of the weather.
Weather clew. — (See Clew.)
Weather-cocking. — A term used of boats which have a troublesome
habit of running up to the wind and refusing to pay off either on one
side or the other. The position such a boat then assumes is supposed
to resemble that of a weather-cock ; whence the term. It may be
caused through some mistake on the part of the helmsman (see Miss
stays under Tack) or it may be the fault of the boat itself being
too much down by the head ; in winch latter case, if a change in the
disposition of the ballast does not cure the fault, a considerable
increase in the size or weight of the rudder has been recom-
mended. Very long boats will be more liable to this than short
ones.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 307
Weather coil. — " An expression signifying that a ship has had her"
head brought about, so as to lie that way which her stern did
before, as by the veering of the wind, or the motion of the helm ;
the sails remaining trimmed." (Smyth.)
Weather coiling. — " A ship resuming her course after being taken
aback ; rounding off bv a stern-board, and coining up to it again."
(Smyth.)
Weather eye. — " Keep your weather eye open" — keep a good look
out to windward. Hence in general conversation it usually means
keep a good look out.
Weather gage is the distance of a vessel (or any object) from
another on the weather or wind side ; e.g. , a ship on the weather
side (or to windward) of another is said to have the weather gage of
her ; just as that one to leeward is said to have the lee gage.
Weather gall. — (See Wind Gall.)
" A weather gall at morn
Fine weather all gone. "
Weather helm. — A vessel is described as carrying weather helm
when — her tendency being to run up into the wind — the helm must
be kept over to the weather side. Therefore, to give her weather
helm is to put the helm up, i.e., over to the weather side. (Compare
with Lee helm, under the heading Helm.)
Weather lurch. — A roll over to windwai-d.
Weather ropes. — The tarred ropes (old term, before wire roping
was brought in).
Weather sheets (in square rig). — The ropes attached to those
corners of a square sail which for the time being are the tacks or
weather clews. (See Tack and Clew.)
Weather shore. — The shore to windward. (Illustrated under the
heading Lee.)
Weather tide. — A tide running weatherwards ; or, in other words,
a tide which, running contrary to the direction of the wind, presses a
vessel, as she is sailing, towards the windward. (See fig. under Lee.)
Weather warning. — A forecast from the Meteorological Office.
(See Signals.)
Weather wheel. — " The position of a man who steers a large ship,
from his standing on the weather side of the wheel. " (Smyth.)
Weed. — To clear rigging of knots, seizings, etc.
Weekly account. — " An old name for a white patch on the
collar of a midshipman's coat." (Smyth.)
Weeping'. — Drops of water oozing through the seams of a vessel.
Weevil. — (Anglo-Saxon weft). — An insect resembling a maggot,
found in old biscuits ; it also perforates wood.
Weft. — In sail-making, the width measurement in a sail cloth,
the length measure being the warp.
Wejt.—A small flag. (See Wheft.)
x 2
308 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Weigh (Anglo-Saxon woeg). — To lift the anchor from the
ground. (See Anchor.) This term must not be confounded with
"way," as is too often the case. (See Way.) A vessel is under
weigh from the moment her anchor is weighed, or off, the ground (or
as soon as she has slipped her mooring), even though she may have
no way on her.
Well. —That part of a yacht or sailing boat which is not decked
or covered in : it is often called the cockpit.
Well room is the space in a half-decked boat which is open or
undecked, and hence resembles a well. The deep part of a vessel,
in which water accumulates, and from which it is pumped, or, in
boats, baled out, is also sometimes called the well. North Sea and
other fishing vessels are built with a large compartment in their
holds, through which the water passes so that fish may be preserved
alive for a considerable period. This compartment is called the
well. It appears also in the old Thames peter-boat.
Well found. — A vessel fully equipped and with all gear in good
condition is said to be well found.
Well grown, said of a spar or timber when the grain of the wood
runs in the right direction.
"Well there!" usually "Well there, belay!" — Equivalent to
saying " That will do, belay !"
Wending (another name for, though more correctly a local pro-
nunciation of the term, winding). — Putting a vessel about. (See
Tack.)
Wentle (old term). — To roll over.
West. — A cardinal point on the compass.
Westing. — Distance westward. The movement of the sun after
passing the meridian.
Westward Ho ! — This was one of the cries of the old Thames
watermen. It signified a readiness to proceed westward.
West Country parson. — " The hake ; from the black mark on its
back, and its abundance on the West coast."
Wet. — A wet boat. — One which sails all awash, i.e., gunwales
under ; or one which plunges her head, bringing water aboard.
Wet dock. — A dock in which vessels float. /
Whaler. — A ship employed in the whale trade.
Whale boat. — A long boat used in whaling. It is sharp at both
ends, swift and buoyant. Old whale boats may often be seen along
the coast, having generally been picked up as bargains by the
'longshore men. Some of these boats reach to 56ft. in length,
with a beam of 10ft.
Wharf. — 1. A lading place for vessels.
Wharf dues. — Charges made for lading or discharging cargoes at
certain wharfs.
Wharfinger. — One who owns a wharf.
2. A scar of rock, or a sand bank, as Mud Wharf, Lancashire.
A DICTIONARY OP SEA TERMS.
309
Wheft.
What. — What cheer Ho ? (often pronounced " whatchee " for
what cheer ?). — A greeting common in many localities ; more
especially in the Eastern counties.
What ship is that ? — A signal expressed hy B D of the International
Code, and often seen permanently exposed at Lloyd's signalling
stations. Hence, when a person uses an exceptionally long word,
or some expression heyond the understanding of his hearers, the
seafaring man may not unnaturally ask, " What ship is that ?"
Wheel. — The wheel and axle hy which the tiller of a vessel is
worked. It is not frequently found in yachts, though steam-
launches, even of the smallest size, are usually furnished with it, to
enahle one man to both steer and drive the engine.
Wheel house. — A covering over the wheel in large vessels.
Wheel ropes or chains. — The ropes or chains which communicate
with the ship's tiller from the wheel.
Wheft. — 1. (Often called xohiff or waft).—
A long streamer used either as a signal or
at the mast head, for ornament or to aid in
steering. 2. In sail making. (See Weft.)
Whelk. — A mollusc, Buccinum undatum,
much consumed in East London, and valu-
able as bait for fishing.
Whelk tingle, or clog-whelk. — A smaller
whelk (Purpura lapillus), which has the power to bore through the
shells of other molluscs, and is, therefore, the bite noir of oyster
culturists.
Whelps. — The projecting ribs on the barrel of a capstan or
windlass. They enable a cable to get a good bite.
Wherry (said to be another form of the word "ferry," from
the fact that wherries were often ferry boats). — Wherries have been,
in time past, of different builds and employed for different purposes,
and they have, like skiffs, a different use according to locality.
The old Thames wherries, of
which some few are still to be
seen, were wide and long, with
a high pointed bow ending in a
sharp iron nose. (See fig.) They
were the boats used by watermen,
and often became ferry boats.
Where the wherry is actually a
feny boat, it is often pointed both l>ow and stem, and rowed either
way. Sometimes it is large and almost resembles a pontoon.
Norfolk wherry. — In Norfolk the wheny is a trading barge, of
peculiar build and una rigged. (See under NORFOLK.)
Whiff.— 1. A small flag. (See Wheft.) 2. The name given on
the Thames to a long, narrow, out-rigged sculling boat used for
racing. It superseded the wedge-shaped wager boat, being made
by the Claspers, and has, in its turn, been superseded for racing
.t'±j. ■ — *•—
Old Thames Wherry.
310
A DIGTIONAKY OF SEA TERMS.
purposes by the best boat (which see) of the present day. But it is
still used by scullers in practice, and in rum turn races. It is often
clincher built.
One who blows a fife.
and single block used in lifting light
Whiffler (old term).-
Whip.— 1. "A rope
articles. If another block is added the medium is known as a
double whip." (Smyth.)
Whip upon ivhip. — " One whip applied to the fall of another, and
so on." (Smyth.)
2. To whip. — To bind up, as a rope served (or bound) with tarred
twine is said to be whipped ; from which we have —
Whipping. — A sort of string of spun yarn, saturated with Stock-
holm tar, and generally used in whipping the ends of ropes. (See
under KNOTS.)
Whipper. — One who unloads colliers into
lighters on the Thames.
Whirl. — Another name for a rope-winch.
Whiskers. — Cross-trees to a bowsprit ; or in
large vessels to a jib-boom. They are employed in
small craft, where the bowsprit is long, or when
the bows of the boat are narrow, to extend the
bowsprit shrouds and give increased lateral support
to the bowsprit, just as top-mast shrouds, extended
on the cross-trees, do to a top-mast. (See fig.)
Whistle. — Whistling for the wind is a practice
so ancient and so constantly followed by a majority
of the seafaring and fishing community, that it is
difficult to believe that it can ever die out. And,
indeed, if the amateur who has not yet tried the
experiment is willing to do so on the next occasion
upon which the wind fails him, he will very possibly
return a partial believer in it himself.
Whistling psalms to the taffrail. — An expression
signifying the throwing away of good advice upon some person who
may be about as susceptible to its influence as is the taffrail of his
yacht.
Wet your whistle. — To drink. Chaucer's " Miller's Lady of
Trumpington " had " Hir joly whistle wel ywette."
White. — White boot-top. — The white line painted round a vessel.
White caps or ivhite horses. — Waves the crests of which break
into white foam.
White lapel. — " An old term for a naval lieutenant, from the
white lapel on his uniform."
White rope. — Rope which is not tarred. (See Rope. )
White squall. — A sudden squall of wind, often unforeseen, cover-
ing the sea with a mass of foam called spoon-drift. It is common to
the tropics and occasionally occurs in the Mediterranean.
Whiskers.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 311
Wholesome (often written "holsom"). — The behaviour of a
vessel in a heavy gale. One which will " try, hull, and ride " safely
and well is wholesome.
Wick (Anglo-Saxon wye). — " A creek, hay, or village by the
side of a river," as Hampton Wick, on the Thames ; Walberswick,
on the Suffolk coast, etc.
Widder shins. — A slang word signifying "in a direction
contrary to that of the sun. "
Widows'men. — "Imaginary sailors, formerly borne on the books
as A.B.'s for wages in every ship in commission ; they ceased with
the consolidated pay at the close of the war. The institution was
dated 24 George II., to meet widows' pensions; the amount of
pay and provisions for two men in each hundred was paid over by
the Paymaster-general of the Navy to the widows' fund." (Smyth.)
Captain Basil Hall descril>es the system as " an official fiction by
which the pay of so many imaginary persons was transferred to a
fund for the relief of the widows of non-commissioned and warrant
officers."
Wild (in sailing). — To steer badly. In rowing, to keep bad
time, a bad stroke, and get excited.
Wimble (with shipwrights). — The boring implement worked by
the centre-bit.
Winch (Anglo-Saxon tvince). — A species of small windlass with
a crank, which in some small yachts takes the place of the windlass.
Winch bitts.— The posts which support the winch.
Wind. — Wind, in sailing, is described according to the direction
in winch it blows upon a vessel. Refer-
ence to the accompanying diagram will
best explain the following terms. A.
Wind a'head. B. Wind a'baft, or
a'stern. (Sailing with the wind thus
is called " running. ") C. Wind on the
port beam. D. Wind on the star-
board beam. E. Wind on the port
bow. F. Wind on the starboard bow.
(A vessel with the wind on the bow -c ► i
is sailing " close-hauled. ") G. Wind
athwart the beam, port side. H.
Wind athwart the beam, starboard
side. (With the wind athwart the
beam a vessel is " reaching.") J.
Wind a'baft the beam, port side.
K. Wind a'baft the beam, starboard
side. (With the wind in this direction
the vessel is " sailing large " or " free. ") L. Wind on the port
quarter. M. Wind on the starboard quarter.
To wind is to go about head to wind as in tacking (see Tack) ;
and a vessel having come round is said to have winded. To sail
312
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
in the eye of the wind is equivalent to sailing very close to the wind,
that is, as nearly against the direction of the -wind as possible.
Windward. — That side of a vessel or of any other object upon
which the wind is blowing. It is often called the weather side.
To wind a call. — To pipe a call upon the whistle, as a boatswain
does the orders.
Wind banks. — Long clouds supposed to prognosticate wind.
Wind-bound. — Unable to proceed because of contrary winds.
Wind gall. — " A luminous halo on the edge of a distant cloud,
where there is rain, usually seen in the wind's eye, and looked upon
as a sure precursor of stormy weather. Also an atmospheric effect
of prismatic colours, said likewise to indicate bad weather if seen
to leeward." (Smyth.)
Wind Upper. — A very slight distur-
bance on the surface of the sea — the
first effect of a breeze.
Windmill. — In rowing, lifting the
oars so high out of the water eacli
time a stroke is taken that their
motion resembles that of the sails of
a windmill. It is an art in which be-
ginners are peculiarly adept. (See fig. )
Windmills (on ships). — These are
sometimes seen on sailing ships, more
especially on foreigners. Their use is
to work the pumps. (See fig.)
Wind-rode. — When the wind over-
comes the tide so that a vessel lying
at anchor rides with it (and therefore,
against the tide).
Wind sail. — A tube or awning of canvas, employed in hot lati-
tudes to convey a draught of fresh air to the lower parts of a ship.
Wind-taut. — " A vessel at anchor heeling over to the force of the
wind." (Smyth.)
In the eye of the wind. — Sailing veiy close to the wind.
In the teeth of the wind. — Making progress directly against the wind.
Head to wind. — The position of a ship when her stem points
exactly in the direction of the wind. In sailing evolutions vessels
are generally brought round head to wind. (See Tack.)
Winds. — " Chirrents in the atmosphere conveying air with more
or less velocity from one part to another. A contraction or expan-
sion in one part of the atmosphere, such as is caused by a variation
in temperature, or by an increase or diminution in the quantity of
aqueous vapour suspended in the air, will disturb the equilibrium,
and produce a wind. . . Winds may be divided into three
classes : — 1. Permanent winds, as the trade winds of the torrid
zone. 2. Periodical winds, as the monsoons of the Indian Ocean.
3. Variable winds, as the winds of the temperate and frigid zones. "
(Brande and Cox.)
Windmill.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
313
Tlie tendency of winds lias been found to be a veering round with
the motion of the sun, that is, from north through east to south,
and so through west back to north ; and it has been observed that
this circle may be traversed for several days continuously, though
the circle in the opposite direction is very rarely, if ever, completed.
(See Backing or the Wind.)
The velocity of wind may vary from a motion almost impercep-
tible to one of upwards of a hundred miles per hour. The following
table is that generally accepted in the definition of winds : —
Figures to indicate the Force and Velocity of the Wind
(from Lloyd's "Seaman's Almanac," 1897).
Equiva-
lent mean
velocity
in English
miles i
hour. ^
0. Calm ..
1. Light air
2 Light
Breeze.
„ Gentle
* Breeze.
. Moderate
• Breeze.
Just sufficient to give steerage way
TO'*i. x.- x. ii f 1 to 2 knots
With which a well-con-
ditioned ship-of-war, of
i Admiral Beaufort's time j
^(1800-1850), with all sail set, s
would go in smooth water,
and " clean full ' ' from
3 to 4 knots
5. Fresh Breeze
6 Strong
• Breeze.
Moderate
Gale.
Fresh
Gale.
Strong
Gale.
10. Whole Gale
To which she could just
carry in chase "full <
and by " —
5 to 6 knots
For ships
Royals, etc . with doubli-
topsails.*
Single-reefed
topsails and
topgallant
sails.
Topgallant
sails.
Double-reefed
topsails, jib,
etc.
Triple-reefed
topsails, etc.
Storm
Hurricane
Close-reefed
topsails and
courses.
With which she could scarcely bear
close-reefed main-topsail and reefed
foresail.
Which would reduce her to storm-sails.
Which no canvas could withstand.
Topsails, jib,
etc.
Reefed upper
topsails and
courses.
Lower top-
sails and
courses.
Lower main-
topsail and
reefedforesail.
3
8
13
18
23
28
34
40
48
56
65
75
90
* These modifications are made to meet the requirements of double topsails,
introduced since Admiral Beaufort's time.
** These velocities have been calculated at the Meteorological Office by the use of
the factor 3 for reducing the indications of a large-sized Robinson Anemometer to
the velocities of the wind.
314
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS.
A gale is a continuous storm ; it ranges from a fresh gale to a
strong gale, and lastly to a heavy, hard, or whole gale. (See Gale.)
Windlass. — The wheel and axle, turned by either handspikes or
a crank, by which the chain cable of a vessel (or any other weight)
may be hauled in. To prevent the windlass from moving backwards,
it has a ratchet wheel connected with it, into the teeth of which fall
one or more pawls ; the pawl being, of course, lifted when it is
necessary to pay out chain, or, as they used to say on ship-board, to
" freshen hawse." The uprights which support and take the bearing
of the windlass are known as the windlass bitts or chocks ; and the
smaller head, which, in large windlasses, carries the pawls, is called
the pawl-bitt.
Spanish windlass. — " A machine formed of a hand-spike and a
small lever, usually a tree-nail ; or a tree-nail and a marling spike ;
to set up rigging, heave in short purchases, etc."
Wing 1 . — The studding sails of a square
rigged ship are sometimes thus called ; as
also, in sailing with the wind aft, may be
the spinnaker and mainsail of a yacht. (See
Wing and Wing, below.)
Wings (in large ships). — Passages below,
along the sides, to enable carpenters to get
at any leak. The lee boards of barges are
also sometimes called tvooden wings.
Wing and wing is an expression invented
long before the naming of that which we
now call a spinnaker, and which shows its
principle to be of some antiquity, for old
works define the term as used of fore-and-
aft vessels when running before the wind.
" the foresail boomed out on one side, and
the mainsail on the other " : and this prac-
tice of making one sail serve the purpose
of both balloon jib and spinnaker has again
become very common in yacht racing. In
square rigged vessels, when studding sails
are set both sides (as in running), they are
said to be wing and wing, and with lateen
rig, a vessel with two masts often runs with
the peak of the fore -sail on one side, and
that of the main sail on the other (see
fig.).
Wing transoms (in shipbuilding). — The
uppermost transoms in the stern frame of a
vessel. Or a transom supporting the stern of a square-sterned
vessel.
" Wire. — Wire-rope. — This is of steel or iron, and is now almost
universally employed for standing rigging — such as shrouds, etc. ;
Wing and Wing.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. 315
the difficulty of coiling it prevents it, however, from being used for
other purposes. It is often galvanized, though this is found to
somewhat weaken it. Its cost, compared with that of hemp, is
scarcely more than half. Stout wire rope may be spliced, but when
thin it becomes considerably damaged, and therefore weakened by
splicing.
Wire stretcher. — (See SET-SCREW.)
Wiring. — A stringer or batten upon which the thwarts (seats) of
a boat rest : it is fixed to the ribs. The thwarts do not (or should
not) rest upon the sides of the boat, but are fixed by knees to a short
piece called a wiring clamp, and that to the wiring.
With the sun. — In the same direction as the sun's path — i.e.,
from east through south to west. Often said when turning anything
about.
Withe. — A boom iron, i.e., an iron at the head of a boom, yard, or
bowsprit with a ring on it through which another spar can run — or
it may be a joint, like that of a fishing-rod, by which the length of
a spar is made up : this being a useful way, in small craft, of rigging
out a spinnaker boom.
Within. — Within 4 points, 6 points, etc. — Sailing close-hauled at
a certain angle with the direction of the wind. (See under Sailing.)
Within and ivithout board. — The same as in-board and out-board
(b)th of which see).
Withy. — A place where willows grow. Hence the willow itself,
or a twig of it, is called a withy.
Wood. — Wood ends. — Another name for hood ends or hooding s
(which see).
Woodloch. — A block of wood nailed near some movable object
to prevent it from shifting ; as those which sometimes keep a rudder
down.
Wood sheathing. — The feathered planking used in doubling a
vessel.
Wood wings. — The lee boards of barges are occasionally thus
called.
Woolding. — The strengthening of a weakened spar by binding
it up. " Winding a piece of rope about a mast or yard to support
it when it is fished, or when composed of several pieces."
Work. — 1. To work signifies to set and keep going, as —
To work a vessel. — To adapt the sails to the wind, steer, etc.
To work the sheets. — To haul in or let them out as occasion may
require. 2. But in another sense we have —
To work up or prepare, as to work up junk — i.e., to draw out
yarns, old cable, etc., and with it to make foxes, points, gaskets,
sinnit or spun-yarn, etc.
Working.— \. This word as applied to the planks of a vessel
signifies '" to open " or " work open " as she strains in a sea, and the
extent to which she works is called her give {which see).
316 A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
2. Working to windward. — Beating to windward, or making
progiess against the wind. (See under Tack.)
3. Working a day's work (at sea). — " Reducing the dead
reckoning and meridian altitude to noon of each day," so as to
determine a ship's position on the earth.
The word work is also applied to certain sails, as —
Working foresail (in fore-and-aft rig). — A foresail which runs on a
horse.
Working lug, the same as a standing lug ; and it often has a
boom. (See Lug.)
Working topsail (in fore-and-aft rig). — The most general form
of big-topsail. It is, in fact, a working or standing lugsail elevated
above the mainsail. (See TOPSAIL.)
And in various other senses ; thus :
Working deck, sometimes called spar deck. (See Deck.)
Working up (old term). — Keeping men at work as punishment.
Worm. — Worm, parcel and serve. — A method of protecting
parts of a rope which are likely to be chafed. It is first wormed, by
laying thin pieces of line (the worms) between the strands ; next
parcelled by winding strips of canvas (saturated with tar) over the
part wormed ; and lastly served or tightly bound with spun yarn.
There is an old rhyme with respect to this proceeding which runs : —
" Worm and parcel with the lay,
And serve your rope the other way. "
Wrack. — Sea weed and (perhaps) all else which has been cast by
the sea on the ebb-diy foreshore.
Wreck (it is said that this term is derived from wrack, denoting
all that the sea washes on shore as it does this weed). — A wreck is, —
1. The destruction of a ship by the sea ; or (as the insurance policies
put it) by the act of God ; 2. The ship herself (or the remnant of
her) after this act. A vessel may, in a sense, be said to become a
wreck when there is no longer any hope of saving her : but, in
law, she is no wreck while any person or domestic animal
remains alive aboard her ; and this fact is said to have given rise, in
times past, to acts which one might well feel ashamed to recount.
Wreckage. — " Goods cast up by the sea after a shipwreck, and left
on land within the limits of some county." Goods jettisoned or cast
overboard, and not stranded, do not come under this head. (See
Flotsam, Jetsam and Lagan.) Wreckage is now taken charge of
by " receivers of wreck," who keep it a certain time, after which, if
not claimed, it becomes the property of the Crown, and is sold in open
auction.
Wreckers. — In times past, men Avho made it their business to
gather up the spoils of wrecks, and who are said to have occasionally
employed means to bring wrecks about. To-day the name is
occasionally opprobriously applied to those fishermen and others
who may always be found ready to risk their lives in going out to
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS. 317
ships in distress, both to save other lives, as well as on the chance of
earning that which very frequently turns out to be but a miserable
reward for their labours : for which latter reason they are often
called "grabbers " by those who sit at home, and, while risking
nothing, are certainly not less eager after plunder. The nation may
feel proud, however, that in the Admiralty it has a court which
recognises the enormous risks these men run, and is always anxious
to award them just compensation.
Wreck free. — Exempt from the forfeiture of wreckage. Under
Edward I. this privilege was granted the lords of the Cinque Ports.
Wring. — To twist or injure by too severe a pressure.
Wrong 1 . — To wrong another (in sailing). — To take the wind out
of her sails by unfair means. Under some circumstances this may,
in racing, constitute afoul.
Wrung heads.— (See Rung.)
Xebec (pronounced "zebech'' 1 ). — A small three-masted vessel,
lateen-rigged, and often with an overhanging bow, used in convey-
ing merchandise in the Mediterranean and sometimes seen on the
west coast of Spain.
T.
Yacht. — It is impossible to define this term, and it may, there-
fore, be best to give it its broadest meaning, i.e., a pleasure vessel,
of any sort, size or shape, from the half-decked boats of the inland
rivers to the three-masted " Sunbeam, " the well-known ship belong-
ing to Lord Brassey.
Yard. — A spar suspended to a mast for the purpose of extending
a sail. It is elevated by means of a rope ; and this rope is accord-
ingly called a halyard (i.e., haul yard). In square-rigged vessels
the yards go athwart the masts — i.e., at right angles to the keel line.
In fore-and-aft rig they run fore and aft, i.e., in a line parallel with
the keel. Yards take their names from the sails they cany : on a
full-rigged ship there will be five on each mast. On the main mast
the main yard, main top-sail yard, main top-gallant yard, main
royal yard, main sky-sail yard, and in rare instances a yard to
higher sails called respectively the moon-raker and the juniper - r
and the same on the other masts, substituting for " main," the
word " fore " or " mizzen " as the case may be, with the exception
that the lowest yard on the mizzen mast is known as the cross
jack (which see) or crotched yard. The yard of a square-rigged ship
is divided into two parts, each part being again sub-divided into four.
The middle is called the sling ; the end the yard arm; and the
distance between these, the quarters. Hence we have the 1st, 2nd,
318
A DICTIONAKY OF SEA TEBMS.
Yards.
and 3rd quarters, and the 4th
or yard arm, on each side.
(See fig.) The yard arms are
very frequently mentioned both
at sea and in all literature re-
lating to it. It is from them
that punishments (keel haul-
ing, etc.), said once to have
been practised in the British
Navy, and most probably so
in the Dutch, were performed.
To the yard arms the braces
are attached, which work or
traverse the yards about the
masts, and beyond them run
out small booms which cany
the studding sails, when set
in fair weather.
Brace the yards. — To traverse
them about the masts so as to
present the sails at a proper
angle to the wind.
Top the yards. — To elevate
one side by the lifts so that it is
higher than the other. (See fig. )
Yards a'peak. — The yards topped in such a manner as to resemble
the letter X ; this is sometimes a sign of mourning. (See fig.)
Yard tackles. — Tackles attached to the yard arms for lifting
anything into the ship.
In fore-and-aft rig the word " yard " is less often used, but still
there are several spars called yards ; and rightly so, for they are both
balanced to the mast and carry sails, and are swayed (lifted), more-
over, by hal-yards. Such are the : —
Topsail yard (or gaff topsail yard) which extends the head of a
big- topsail.
Jack-yard. — This is, generally speaking, a small yard, and in fore-
and-aft rig it extends the head or foot of a sail beyond some other
sail or spar. The term " jack " is rather indiscriminately applied by
seamen; its general meaning, however, is "small" or extra."
Thus in a jack top-sail, the jack -yard is a pole standing in a vertical
position, its end rising beyond the head of the mast ; while in a big,
or, as it is sometimes called, a spinnaker top-sail, the jack-yard is
a small boom, at the foot of the sail, projecting beyond the guy-
end of the gaff. (Both these are illustrated under the heading
Jack.)
Booms and gaffs are not, properly speaking, yards; but a sprit,
on the other hand, may be regarded as such. (See under SPRIT-)
The spars to which the heads of lug sails are bent are also called
yards.
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TEKMS.
319
Yards must be kept in to the mast, or otherwise they would lift,
and their sails become practically useless. They are, therefore, kept
in by various devices, mostly in the form of hoops of iron or rope,
called yard guides or parrels. A sprit is kept in place by fitting
its heel into a loop called the snotter.
Yarn. — Fibrous threads, which, being twisted together, compose
the strands used in making a rope.
Yaw. — Yawing (of a sailing vessel) is deviating from the true
course. A person who is careless or ignorant of the method of
steering, keeps a boat " yawing " from side to side. Great care
should be taken, therefore, by beginners, not to fall into this
fault, which is considered quite unpardonable by yachtsmen.
Yaw sighted. — Having a squint.
Yawl. — A vessel .
with two masts —
main and mizzen,
the mizzen being
small and carrying
usually only one sail.
It is a serviceable rig
for cruising yachts,
the boom not ex-
tending beyond the
taffrail, which there-
fore allows of the sail
being easily reefed.
The mizzen sail, too,
has many ad vantages
— it helps the boat
round when in stays;
it keeps her steady
in a rolling sea ; it
counteracts an over-
press of head can-
vas ; in going up to
moorings, or in mov-
ing the boat only
a short distance, it
may be used with
the aid only of a
foresail ; and, in a
word, it renders the
boat essentially a
handy craft. But,
on the other hand, the great loss of sail area sustained by placing a
mizzen where, as in a cutter, the foot of the mainsail would extend
beyond the taffrail, precludes it from being a fast rig ; and for this
reason, perhaps, the yawl is no longer so popular as it Mas, the cutter
having superseded it.
Various Yawls.
320
A DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS.
Tell (old term). — A rolling motion.
Yellow. — Yellow flag. — The flag carried by vessels in quarantine.
Where this is seen it is wise to always pass to windward of it.
Yellowing.— The passing over of captains at a flag-promotion. An
old term for a malpractice which, perhaps, may not be altogether
obsolete.
Yellow fever. — An old term made use of in S^ 233
Greenwich Hospital, and denoting drunken-
Yoke. — A fitting
gether, as the yoke
called the lower-cap.
the trestle trees), or,
which a topmast runs.
Yoke of a rudder.
binding two parts to-
of a mast, commonly
The lower aperture (in
often, a ring through
(See fig. ; also C AP. )
-The flat plate or tiller
to which, in long, open boats, the rudder or
yoke lines are attached. (See fig. ; also under
Rudder.)
Yoke lines. — Another name for rudder
lines.
Young. — Young gentlemen. — On board a
war-ship the midshipmen are thus termed.
Young flood (of the tide). — The first of the rising tide.
Youngster. — A fresh hand, or a young boy.
Yunker. —Another name for youngster.
Yoke.
Z.
Zenith. — The point directly overhead of any person.
Zephyr. — The West wind : but in general conversation it often
signifies only a bight wind.
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Published by L. Upcott Gill, London.
ART. PAGE
Antiquities, English 3
Churches, Old Eng-
lish 6
Church Decorations 6
Designing, Harmonic 7
Heraldry 10
Lack, Hand-Made . . .. 10
Painting, Decorative 12
Paper Work, Orna-
mental ,.\ 12
Poker Work 13
Violins 16
AMUSEMENTS.
Card Games . . 5, 6, 7, 12.
15,16
Conjuring 6,7
DlABOLO 7
Entertainments 5, 8, 15, 16
Fortune Telling . . >. 8
Handwriting .......... 9
Magic Lanterns ... — 11
Palmistry 12
Paperwork 12
Photography 12, 13
Pianoforte 12, 15, 16
Pool 13
Vamping 16
COLLECTING.
Autographs 3
Books 11, 15
Coins - 6
Engravings 8
Epitaphs 8
Furniture 8
Glass 9
Postage Stamps 13
Postmarks 13
Pottery & Porcelain 13
FARMING.
Bees 4
Dairy Farming 7
Goats 9
Horses 10
Pigs 12
Poultry .. 7, 10, 13
Stock Records 4, 12, 15
GARDENING.
Alpine Plants 3
Begonias .. 4
Bulbs 5
Cactus 5
PAGE
Carnations 6
Chrysanthemums 6
Cucumbers 7
Dictionary of Gar-
dening ^. 9
Ferns 8
Fruit 8
Grapes 9
Greenhouse Con-
struction and Heat-
ing 9
Greenhouse Manage-
ment , 9
Hardy Perennials .. 9
Home Gardening 9
Mushrooms 11
Open-Air Gardening 9
Orchids, „.. 11
Robes 14
Tomatoes 15
Vegetables 16
HOME.
Cookery 3,6,7,8
Infant Feeding 4
Medicine 11
Needlework 11
Shaving 15
LIBRARY.
Crichton, The
Admirable 7
Journalism, Practical 10
Library Manual, The 11
Press Work for
Women 13
Sporting Books, Illus-
trated 15
MECHANICS.
Bookbinding „... 4
Cabinbt Making 5
Cane Basket Work . . 5
Chip Carvino 6
Chucks and Chucking 6
Forge Work 8
Fretwork 8
Glues and Cements.. 9
Marqueterie 8,11
Metal Working 4, 14, 15,16
Model Yachts 11
Picture Frame Mak-
ing 12
Poker Work 13
Polishes and Stains
for Woods _ 13
PAGE
Repousse Work 14
Ticket Writing 16
Violins, Repairing .. 16
WoodWokkimi 6, 11,12,16
Workshop Make-
shifts 16
NATURAL HISTORY.
Aquaria _ 3
Birds' Eggs 4
KllTThUKLIKS 5
Dragon flies 7
Hawk Moths 10
Moths 5, 10
Naturalists' Direc-
tory 11
Rubber 14
Taxidermy 15
Vivarium 11,16
PET-KEEPING.
Birds 4,6,7,8,12
Cats 6
Dogs 6,7,8, 9,10, 15
Guinea Pigs _ 9
Mice -.. U
Monkeys U
Pigeons 12
Rabbits 1*
SPORTING.
Angling 3, 14
boxing 4
Cycling 11
Ferreting 8
Game Preserving.... 9
Lawn Tenn is 10, 15
Motoring 11
Otter-Hunting 11
Sailing 4,-8,11,14,15
Shooting 3
skating 15
Swimming 15
Trapping 15
Wild sports 16
Wll.DFOWLING 16
Wrestling 10. 16
SEAFARING.
BoatBuilking 4
Boat sailing 4
Sailing Tours 14
seaLife 14
sea Terms 15
Yachting Yarns 10
TOURING.
Caravaning 5
Fkieslanu Meres .... 8
Route Map 11
Seaside Watering
Places 14
Welsh Mountaineer-
ing - 11
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Glass, Early English, of the 16th, 17th, and 18th Centuries. A Handbook for
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Sporting Books, Illustrated. And their Values. Dealing with English
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Swimming for Women and Girls. A Handbook of Practical Instruction.
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